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Life goes on, and as the great master of words that spawn clichés today claimed, the show must go on; it certainly does more rapidly in the world’s busiest city. New York didn’t have much time to spare to mourn in the aftermath of the disastrous terrorist attacks three years ago and the only signs in the city are the political rhetoric sprouted by politicians eager to be President. The city, although hasn’t forgotten the horrors and remnants linger in disrupted lives of the families who lost loved ones, is ready to embrace some new memories. The 16-acre hole in the distinguished Manhattan real estate is springing back to life although weaving through bureaucratic tangles and emotional memories makes it difficult each day.
USA Today reports that work on the underground station is set to begin next year and on the memorial in 2006. Daniel Libeskind sounds optimistic for his plans for a symbolic 1,776 feet spire and the plaza it overlooks will, in Libeskind’s words infuse every visitor with hope and optimism. I like the idea of building something that inspires hope and resurgence for the future rather than reminiscing about the horrors of the past. The horrific memories will never be far from the hearts of people but we need the reassurance from our creations that life is still good in spite of the restive peace. Ironically, Libeskind’s previous claim to fame was a Jewish Museum in Berlin invoking the horrors of the Holocaust as a grim reminder of man’s capability to inflict horrors on his fellow beings. Breaking away from his theoretician image (we studied him primarily as a deconstructionist or as he was popularly known in our college as “the architect with acute angles”), Libeskind has evolved to make his creations evoke greater connectivity. The fact that his designs prevailed amongst thousands that were submitted for the reconstruction of the WTC site is testimony to the fact that New Yorkers related well to his ideas.
His choice wasn’t free from the encumbrances of the architecture competition process and as observed in Chicago Tribune as “one of the nastiest architectural catfights in recent memory” reminds me of the spat around the Sydney Opera House. Thankfully, the fights didn’t impede the construction of one of the world’s most beautiful buildings in recent times and I hope it won’t happen this time too. The conflict centered on the ego clashes between NY Governor George Pataki and Ground Zero lease holder Larry Silverstein; the latter pushing his architect, Daniel Childs’ designs.
Ultimately, the tower was supposed to be a combination of Childs’ and Libeskinds’ vision. Whoever had heard of collaboration on a creative venture? Two architects who had never worked together and had distinct styles, forced to come up with a common vision is recipe for disaster. Each architect claims victory for his vision. The New Yorker amusingly describes the process “like an old cliché about a camel being a horse designed by a committee”. I agree. Creative processes cannot be shared or worked together. Imagine Leonardo Da Vinci letting an unknown guy paint the lower half of the Mona Lisa? She would be wearing a tutu for all you know. I hope better sense prevails and Libeskind’s vision is not tampered with. He knows what New York and America needs – a place that inspires hope and optimism. We shall not settle for anything less.
PS. Totally off-topic: If you thought guys don’t have a sense of humor, you haven’t yet read the great Yogustus. He is back with a bang and what a bang!
by Patrix | on Wednesday, October 20th, 2004 at 11:05 pm | 
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October 21st, 2004 at 12:33 am reply
yogu always comes back with a bang.. n then vanishes without a whimper :-|
October 21st, 2004 at 12:37 am reply
Twilight - Better than not coming back at all, bang or not…and yeah, go ahead and ignore my painfully written piece on WTC reconstruction.
October 21st, 2004 at 4:28 am reply
not totally in agreement with the statement on creative processes… making good music is considered creative, there are many music bands, music composers (though i guess that might be restricted to bollywood), made of different people ……..
October 21st, 2004 at 5:40 am reply
Well that ground could have been the tallest building on earth at this moment if insted of making an movie (F9/11) the director would have used his resourced to avoid attack
October 21st, 2004 at 9:58 am reply
Free advertisement!?! Thanks Patrix!!! The 50-50 deal remains! On a sidenote, how in heavens name can you type so much every single day??? You are amazing Patrix Baba…*Yogu bowing down 3 times with arms outstretched*
October 21st, 2004 at 11:26 am reply
Manuscrypts - I think, the final vision can be only be visualized by an individual or individuals from the same firm…clubbing two architects with two entirely different philosophies can be disastrous.
Kiddo - So you mean to say Michael Moore could have avoided the attack by investing $6 million in homeland security…hmmmm…wonder why no one thought of that? :)
Yogustus - no problemo…how do I type so much everyday? I don’t. I just surf the net and cut-paste :)
October 23rd, 2004 at 2:49 am reply
:P.. Yeah life does go on.. change is the only constant.. yada yada.. (not equipped much to react to architecture now :P)
well all I can say is that there are several of my painfully written posts waiting for a reaction from you :)