‘Since 9/11’ was unveiled at a ceremony on the 17th March 2015 at its new permanent home at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.
9/11 Steel Artwork Finds Permanent Home in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
A monumental piece of 9/11 Twin Towers steel recovered from Ground Zero, that has been made into a striking public artwork, was unveiled at a ceremony in London on the 17th March 2015 at its new and now permanent home at the site of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.
The 28ft-tall, 4-ton artwork entitled ‘Since 9/11’ was gifted to the UK by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 2010 on the condition that it be permanently sited in a prominent London location. New York artist Miya Ando was commissioned by UK-based educational charity SINCE 9/11 to create the artwork that will now proudly stand in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The steel artwork enjoyed a brief exhibition in Battersea Park in September 2011 over the tenth anniversary of 9/11, but it was removed barely a month after it was unveiled and has been seeking a permanent home ever since.
Finding a permanent home for the artwork has been one of the key projects pursued by SINCE 9/11, who applied for and succeeded in obtaining the WTC steel.
Speaking ahead of the event, Peter Rosengard, Founder and Chairman of SINCE 9/11, said, “It’s been a remarkable five-year journey to honour our promise to New York to permanently and prominently display their gift of WTC steel in London. Along the way, we’ve created the acclaimed 9/11 Education Programme to teach students about the events, causes and consequences of 9/11, and to encourage toleration, respect and harmony between young people of all faiths, religions and races. Today in the Olympic Park, we honour the past and look to a better future for all our children.”
The artwork has won public support from prominent figures including London Mayor Boris Johnson, historian Simon Schama, Lord Carey former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Admiral Lord West of Spithead, all of whom have been vocal in the campaign to secure a permanent home for the artwork.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said “This pertinent reminder of the 9/11 atrocities is a tremendous new addition to the park that encapsulated the spirit of hope, and tolerance during our Olympic Games. Nearly 14 years may have passed but this prodigious art work will generate continued interest, discussion and memories in the thousands of visitors to its landmark new home.”
The permanent siting of the artwork has been equally welcomed by American supporters.
The US Ambassador to the UK, Matthew Barzun, has stated, “I fully support for the work being undertaken by SINCE 9/11 – a great organization that is actively working to encourage discussion of the events surrounding 9/11 among British schoolchildren. This artwork is a beacon for the charity’s focus on hope, tolerance and understanding, and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a fantastic location.”
Find out more about the artwork at www.since911.com/artwork.
Published with permission by The Sun.
Published with permission by The Sun.
Published with permission by The Sun.
Published with permission by The Sun.
Published with permission by The Sun.
Published with permission by The Times.
