One World Trade Center



Yes, New York again. It is one of the few places I have had the opportunity to visit and it was amazing. The city is full of art and majesty. The city has many architecturally awesome buildings to choose from, but I choose the One World Trade Center, because I got to see it during and after construction.

 

The One World Trade Center was still in construction when I visited in 2010."Designed by renowned architect David Childs, of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, LLP, One World Trade Center incorporates new architectural and environmental standards, setting a new level of social responsibility in urban design."  In this picture, you can see the steel beam and concrete used in the design making it "one of the safest commercial structures in the world and the premier commercial business address in New York."

 

http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/index.html 

 



 

When I was in New York again in 2013 the building was almost complete. It was still not open and I was unable to see the inside, but the outside was very impressive. The glass reflects all corners of the city.

The view from the Staten Island Ferry. This actually gave me the shivers because I thought of the Twin Towers, their height, and what happened Here we have another building standing out, proud, daring. It is almost like a challenge.

I especially loved the night time view. the lights and the glass reflect everything off the water. It was truly beautiful.

May We Never Forget

I got to see this when I visited New York for the first time in 2010.

It was a very emotional experience. Seeing the depiction of the events that took place on September 11th brought me to tears. The names of the firefighters lost are listed at the bottom of the sculpture. It is set into the brick wall on the side of  FDNY Ladder Company 10 Engine 10 firehouse, directly south of the WTC site."

The project was commissioned by a NY Law Firm, Holland and Night. It was designed by Joseph A Oddi and sculpted by Joseph Petrovics. (http://www.fdnytenhouse.com/fdnywall/about.htm)  

This picture was taken in 2010, when I saw it again in 2013 the copper had started to discolor and it was noted to me that it would eventually turn green like the Statue of Liberty, this was purposely done. It is a relief sculpture as it is set into a wall, and can only be seen from one side. The copper was molded in a French Sand cast in three separate pieces. After it was ready they moved them to there permanent location. The pieces weighed a total of 7,000 pounds. 
Each piece was set to tell a story. The articulation of the sculpture moves the viewer through the story of the fire fighters and the struggle, and tragedy of the Twin Towers.

Lewis Hine, Photographer

" Miners: Harley Bruce, a young coupling-boy at Indian Mine. He appears to be 12 or 14 years old and says he has been working there about a year. It is hard work and dangerous. Near Jellico, Tennessee."

 

 "The Mill: One of the spinners in Whitnel Cotton Mill. She was 51 inches high. Has been in the mill one year. Sometimes works at night. Runs 4 sides - 48 cents a day. When asked how old she was, she hesitated, then said, "I don't remember," then added confidentially, "I'm not old enough to work, but do just the same." Out of 50 employees, there were ten children about her size. Whitnel, North Carolina."

These are two photographs taken by Lewis Hine. His photographs highlighted child labor during 1908-1912. They helped bring realization to America of the working conditions and facts of child labor.

I think about a lot of things while looking at these. I feel sad, angry, righteous. Also, I wonder about our time and what is happening to children now. Is this still happening? America has labor laws, but are they followed? What about immigrants or illegals? We know of reports of child labor in other counties.

These pictures, though old, and dated are still very valid today and they stand the test of time.

** Picture quotes by Lewis Hine. See more at http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/childlabor/

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