MULTI PAL SCULPTUREs and JEWELRY were made in memory of the world Trade Center.
“As an artist it is invigorating to have been given such an eminent opportunity”…….
The sculpture piece I call “Respectful Remembrances” was made with visual symbolization using an actual piece of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center NYC.
The sculpture is meant to reflect the unity of Americans’ in all walks of life, offering an uplifting sense of healing and forward progression, on the home front horizon, without forgetting the past.
The remembrance of life lost, given and shared, the innocents of a nation changed and our troops on the front, even now, are also meant to be implied in the over all of this piece.
On permanent display at the Wilton NY Fire Company.
In overwhelming gratitude, miChelle Vara
73. Respectful Remembrances (9/11/11)-
57” World Trade Center I beam incorporated with other pieces from recycled fire escape.
Artist Donated to: Wilton Fire Dept.
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Blog Posts:
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Jewelry- (12 pcs to collection)
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Press:
World Trade Center steel used in 9/11 sculpture commissioned for Wilton Firehouse
By PAUL POST
ppost@saratogian.com
TEXT-http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2011/08/27/news/doc4e59ac3b94549264710185.txt?viewmode=fullstory
VIDEO-
http://www.saratogian.com/video/?va_id=2794965&pl_id=21344&ref=synd
Artist miChelle M. Vara stands next to the 9/11 sculpture she crafted. It will be placed outside the Wilton Firehouse. (PAUL POST/ppost@saratogian.com)
WILTON — A piece of steel beam from the World Trade Center is featured in a 9/11 memorial sculpture that will soon go on permanent display at the Wilton Firehouse on Ballard Road.
Former Wilton Fire Department President Ray Bailey applied to receive a World Trade Center artifact about 2-1/2 years ago.
To his surprise, earlier this summer it showed up in a box on his doorstep.
Then he contacted local artist miChelle M. Vara to use the piece in a sculpture that pays tribute to the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and those who lost their lives.
Vara specializes in iron, metal and steel work at her Ballard Road art studio, near the corner of Route 50 and Ballard Road.
Her completed work is full of symbolism.
“It’s small, but powerful,” she said. “I was completely thrilled to get this opportunity.”
Two of the sculpture’s three legs are made from a piece of bent steel.
Vara said the piece represents the orderly, yet bizarre scene of countless people walking home across Brooklyn Bridge on Sept. 11, 2001, after it was closed to vehicles.
“That just captivated me and left a mark in my mind,” she said.
The bend in the piece symbolizes the dramatic change in history and people’s idealism that occurred that day. The main piece of World Trade Center steel, about 2 feet along, is partially bent, too.
Another leg of the sculpture is a wavy piece of steel that represents the uncertainty about exactly what transpired.
“Nobody really knows the whole story,” Vara said. “There are a lot of different takes on what happened.”
One leg has a small offshoot because “everybody had a different story, an idea to share,” she said. “There’s all these fractional pieces.”
Vara force-rusted the sculpture’s legs to give them the same color as the World Trade Center beam.
The one completely clean element is a circular piece that symbolizes the clarity of purpose and American unity that was evident, not only on 9/11, but in the weeks and months that followed.
“People from all walks of life joined hands to do a task,” she said. “We came together as a country. It was the first time in New York City’s history that neighbors were helping each other, sharing, pulling in one direction. People came from all over the country to help.
The sculpture will be moved to the fire station. Details for a dedication ceremony are still being worked out and will be announced soon, Bailey said.
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Press:
Respectful Remembrances
August 30, 2011 at 7:20 pm by Dennis Yusko
http://blog.timesunion.com/saratogaseen/respectful-remembrances/10393/
Artist Michelle M. Vara has created a commemorative sculpture with steel from the World Trade Center that will be permanently displayed inside the Wilton Fire Department starting Sept. 11, the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Vara, of Wilton, is completing the piece at her Ballard Road Art Studio. She calls the 50” by 57” sculpture “Respectful Remembrances.” It seeks to unite and uplift, while honoring the past. Firefighter /Chief- Ray Baily acquired the metal, and brought it to Vara.
“As an artist, it is invigorating to have been given such an eminent opportunity,” she said. “You can see the sever duress the iron has been through by the bends that are in it. It encapsulates immense spirit and energy.”
8/30/11 Times Union Pg1
The Wilton Fire Department wanted a piece that everyone could touch and connect with. Vara incorporated an arched, rusted piece of Angel iron – representing the escape from Manhattan on the Brooklyn Bridge, the bending, but not breaking, of strength; a ¾-inch round down post, intentionally bent, wavy and rusted; a small offshoot of ¼” flat stock; and the circle – representing inexhaustible implications, unity, and all the forces -medical, fire, rescue, military – that worked collectively.
“The remembrance of life lost, given and shared, the innocents of a nation changed and our troops on the front, even now, are also meant to be implied in the overall of this piece,” the artist said.
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9/11 sculpture will be unveiled in Wilton, NY
Times Union Published 12:00 a.m., Sunday, September 11, 2011
Read more:
Artist Michelle M. Vara has created a commemorative sculpture with steel from the World Trade Center that will be permanently displayed inside the Wilton Fire Department starting Sept. 11, the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Vara, of Wilton, created the piece at her Ballard Road Art Studio. She calls the 50-inch by 57-inch sculpture “Respectful Remembrances.” It seeks to unite and uplift, while honoring the past.
Firefighter Ray Baily acquired the metal, and took it to Vara.
“As an artist, it is invigorating to have been given such an eminent opportunity,” she said. “You can see the severe duress the iron has been through by the bends that are in it. It encapsulates immense spirit and energy.”
The Wilton Fire Department wanted a piece that everyone could touch and connect with. Vara incorporated an arched, rusted piece of angle iron, representing the escape from Manhattan on the Brooklyn Bridge, the bending, but not breaking, of strength; a 3/4-inch post, intentionally bent, wavy and rusted; a small offshoot of 1/4-inch flat stock; and a circle, representing unity and the forces — medical, fire, rescue, military — that worked collectively.
“The remembrance of life lost, given and shared, the innocence of a nation changed and our troops on the front, even now, are also meant to be implied in the overall of this piece,” the artist said.
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New York Times- – http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/s/sept_11_2001/memorials/index.htm
-Post Star –Wilton Sept. 11 monument to be ready in time for anniversary