It was, therefore, both a shock and a wake up call when we woke up on August 10, 2006 to learn that the British had uncovered another plot which threatened to be equally as devastating as the attacks of September 11. The New York Times quoted once one senior police officer who described the plot as "mass murder on an unimaginable scale."
How ironic it seemed to me that just the day before, on August 9, 2006 I had attended a special press conference for the National Constitution Center’s upcoming exhibition, 9/11: A Nation Remembers.
Preview of the Exhibit
In honor of the fifth anniversary of 9/11, this powerful exhibition features original photographs by Jonathan Hyman, documenting the way the American people responded to and remember the tragic attacks.The photographer, Jonathan Hyman, had given us a wonderful preview of eleven of the one hundred photographs that will be featured in the exhibition which opens on September 8 and runs through January 1, 2007. In the course of one night, the significance of the exhibit multiplied exponentially.
A New American Folk-art
You won't see photos of round zero or the damaged Pentagon. This is not an exhibit of the devastation of September 11th, it is an exhibit of the roadside displays, murals and personal memorials created by Americans in response to September 11th. Through these 100 photographs of this new American folk-art (a small sample of the 15,000 photos that Hyman has taken over the past five years), Hyman pays tribute to those who died and movingly depicts a country coming to grips with a national tragedy.The selection of 100 photographs featured in the exhibit inspires conversations about community, national identity, and how ordinary Americans have commemorated the day. From images of urban murals, flag-painted houses, memorials, and signs to tattoos and decorated cars and trucks, the photographs show America's sorrow, patriotism, anger, and in some cases, calls for revenge, peace and hope, or justice.
The Photographer's Mission
"The photographs I took, from the inner city to rural areas, from the spectacular to the banal, portray a nation constructing memories through the making of art as it attempts to simultaneously heal and understand the attacks, " says photographer Jonathan Hyman.Never envisioning that this would be project of five years, Hyman began to take photos in New York State following the attacks. During the first six weeks following September 11th, Hyman took about 50 rolls of film. He soon realized that, in selecting only certain tributes to photograph, he was being judgmental. He realized that his task was to be a messenger, not a judge, so he embarked once again with a new mission. He took photos every day and of everything he saw.
Following every lead, tip, telephone call, emails from family, friends and complete strangers, his journey has taken him along much of the East Coast and Midwest. He went to places he would not normally go and met people he would not ordinarily meet. Whenever possible he would speak to the artists or just other people admiring the art.
Related Programs at the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center will present a variety of on-site programming and lesson plans for students to make this a highly engaging and teachable exhibition marking an important anniversary in American history. The Center will also develop a series of programs for adult audiences, which will assess our national response to the attacks and the issues it continues to raise.In addition, the Center is offering special opportunities for both the families of 9/11 victims and members of the Police, Fire, and First Responders community to view the exhibition. Families of 9/11 victims are invited to a private exhibit opening on September 6, 2006.
On September 7, 2006, members of the Police, Fire, and First Responders community are invited to a special exhibit preview. They will also receive free admission to 9/11: A Nation Remembers throughout the duration of the exhibit. In addition, both the Philadelphia Fire and Police Departments will offer demonstration days for families visiting the National Constitution Center. 9/11: A Nation Remembers is proudly supported by the City of Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments.