remembering the tragedy of 9/11, we extended invitations for individuals who suffered losses to share remembrances via voicemail
Title: Remembering 9/11: A Phone Booth in Brooklyn, and a Symbol of Grief
Hear that hum? That's the sound of memories echoing through the airwaves. Back in 2001, on a day that shook the world, 9/11, our cellphone networks were overwhelmed. Voicemails became the last link for those trapped in the disaster to touch base with loved ones.
jogging your memory: In the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of this horrific event, we set up a vintage phone booth on the Brooklyn Bridge Park, across the river from the new World Trade Center. The idea? Let people pay tribute, leave a message for the ones they lost that fateful day.
Digging deep, we connected with six brave souls who were willing to share their heartrending stories - people like Trish Straine, who lost her husband in the north tower just six days after her second son was born. There's also Matthew Bocchi, a 9-year-old boy who had to face life without his father. Their tales give us a glimpse into the labyrinth of grief and how it twists and turns over the years.
Did ya know? Our project is inspired by the famous Wind Phone in Japan. This disconnected phone booth was the brainchild of garden designer Itaru Sasaki, conceived in 2010. Unlike traditional phones, the Wind Phone has no network connection; it's a silent sanctuary for individuals seeking solace in communicating with their deceased loved ones.
Following the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011, the Wind Phone took on a new role. It became a beacon of solace and healing for the countless survivors and relatives of victims. The Wind Phone turned into a poignant memorial and a therapeutic site, helping people find a way to cope with their grief amid the wreckage.
In essence, the Wind Phone was a peaceful corner for people to "call" their lost ones, and after the disaster, it served as a sanctuary for mourning and connection for those who found themselves trapped in grief's grip. Just like the families we spoke to, who found strength in recounting their stories, the Wind Phone provided comfort and understanding, helping them navigate through their pain.
In the realm of general news, the Wind Phone in Japan, originally a transcendental phone booth with no network connection, also serves as a symbol of solace and connection amidst grief, much like the vintage phone booth on the Brooklyn Bridge Park that allows people to honor those lost during 9/11. This connection between art and tragedy demonstrates that sometimes, politics and war-and-conflicts can lead to unexpected tributes and tokens of remembrance, like using a phone to credit a moment for the fallen.
