David Curry (New York, NY), from his series In Memorium WTC, 2001: A Photographic Essay, WTC #49 Four Votives, Rolland archival Iris print of digital photograph on Somerset Velvet paper, Artist's proof, 19 x 29 inches, 2001. Curry takes a rare, almost aerial, perspective in his abstracted memorial images. Visit www.photolibre.com/index.html to see the full color series.

David Curry (New York, NY)

Selections from In Memorium WTC, 2001: A Photographic Essay

  • WTC #17 Flowers
  • WTC #45 Flowers and Votives
  • WTC #49 Four Votives
  • WTC #50 Two Votives

Rolland archival Iris print of digital photograph on Somerset Velvet paper, Artist's proof
19 x 29 inches
2001
Courtesy the artist

The images in my most recent photographic essay, In Memorium WTC 2001 were conceived as a meditation on the victims of the World Trade Center disaster taken in Union Square that shows the world how New York City mourns.

When the disaster first struck, I was adamantly warned by a colleague in California to not try to photograph the smoldering ruins under any circumstances—it was not worth risking my life to make images. But taking photographs of destruction is something I simply will not do anyway. I made my first trip to Union Square on a dark, smoky Saturday night—four days after the catastrophe and I left my camera behind. However, I was mesmerized by the images of monks chanting, incense burning, votives melting and flowers wilting while I was haunted by the pictures of the missing. I returned again and again over the next 10 days—compelled to try to make something that mattered out of this senseless waste of human life.

My intention therefore became the exploration of the spiritual dimension of the disaster and as a photographer who essentially shoots people and places, I chose to focus on reflections of the vanished and the deep contrasts of beauty and sorrow with love and loss. Over time, the memorial itself transformed from the spiritual to the political as mourning changed into anger and grief became the desire for revenge. And as the over-illuminated media descended in droves, the spirituality of the moment was instantly extinguished. On the last trip I made to the square, the memorial itself was gone—wiped away by the NYC Parks Department. It is as if the tribute never happened at all. I am fortunate that I was able to capture these few fleeting moments when I could.

Thanks,
David Curry