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Public Art | Award of Merit CHORUS - WTC Cortlandt Station
SUBMITTED BY MTA Arts & Design
Photo Credits | © CHORUS (2018) © Ann Hamilton, NYCT WTC Cortlandt St Station. Commissioned by Metropolitan Transportation Authority Arts & Design. Photo: Patrick Cashin.
Public Art | Award of Merit CHORUS - WTC Cortlandt Station | New York, New York
Rebuilding the Cortlandt Street Subway Station as Part of Lower Manhattans Recovery from 9/11.
Destroyed in the September 11th terror attacks, the Cortlandt Street subway station was one of the last and most complex pieces of infrastructure rebuilt as part of Lower Manhattan’s recovery. The new station, renamed WTC Cortlandt, connects subway commuters to the 9/11 Memorial and to the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, allowing for more convenient transfers to the PATH rail system, the Battery Park City Ferry Terminal, the World Trade Center, and the Fulton Center. The 30,000-square-foot station sits 20 feet below grade and includes two 700-foot platforms and a lower mezzanine level that connects the platform areas. It serves more than 1.2 million commuters annually and is as a model for all future subway stations: it is fully ADA accessible, air-tempered, and equipped with state-of-the-art security, communications, and life-safety systems. The station’s design was heavily influenced by use of a top-down construction method that was utilized for the iconic World Trade Center Transportation Hub and required a highly complex construction sequencing plan. The location also meant working with numerous state, city and private stakeholders to accommodate construction schedules and maintain overall design standards. In addition to navigating the multi-layered and intricate construction components and schedules of this project,
the emotional challenges of this project for those involved were substantial.
What is the greater social value of the submission? The design imperative was to create a functional transit station in a sa- cred space. The marble mosaic artwork within the station reflects the solemni- ty, significance, contemporary nature, and elegant aesthetic of the station it inhabits. Gracefully spanning more than 4,350 square feet of wall-space within the station, the artwork (comprised of extracted language from both the 1948 UN Declaration of Human Rights and the US Declaration of Independence) is masterfully integrated into the architec- ture of the station and acts, not only as a unifying aesthetic element throughout the station, but as a potent and powerful declaration of human rights, civil liber- ties, and the nation’s guiding principles. The work has a transformative effect on the station and its users; its dynamic presence acts as resounding reminder to all those who walk the platform from where their freedoms derive.
How does the project contribute to the life of its surrounding community? The artwork is integrated into the station’s architectural design and has become the station finish. Set in mono- chromatic marble mosaic, the woven
reverse-relief text forms a white-onwhite tactile surface framing the subway platforms and guiding the movement of people throughout the site. The raised surface of the text also invites subway riders to touch the mosaics as they read the words, creating meaningful person- al encounters with riders- interactions which allow commuters to literally inter- act with the civic ideals and aspirations that serve as bedrock principles for the nation. The pristine beauty of the art resonates with viewers in its celebration of our highest ideals and the resilience of our nation. Furthermore, the station leads directly to the 9/11 Memorial Museum; many tourists and visitors to the museum will exit the station en route to the memorial with the potent symbolism of the work’s message resonating with them as they ascend the steps to the Memorial. The white marble mosaics celebrating the nation’s ideals lead to the memorial pools – where passersby see (in dark relief engravings) the names of thousands of people who were lost on that fateful day. The work acts in powerful conversation with its immediate surroundings and creates moments of poignancy, solemnity and beauty for commuters, the larger community, and tourists alike. n
Call for Entries! ADF Milano Salone 2021 Design Award Design Theme: “Re_”
ADF (Aoyama Design Forum), a non-profit organization, has decided to showcase at “Fuori Salone” during Milano Salone, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition held in Milan, Italy, in 2021. The showcase will go on during the exhibition. ADF invites the international design world to submit for the “ADF Milano Salone Design Award 2021.” Registration is now open until November 15, 2020. The theme of this year’s “ADF Milano Salone Design Award 2021” is “re_”. “Re_” literally means “to make something again.” ”ReBORN,“ “re-CYCLE,” “re-USE,” “re-BUILD,” “re-NOVATION,” etc. Propose your own “re_” in your own way. Furniture, architecture, space, plan, the format is open. Don’t miss this great opportunity to send your wonderful ideas and works out into the world at the worlds famous exhibition, “Milano Salone.” Out of all of the entries, based on the award theme, three works: one (1) Best Performance Award; and two (2) Outstanding Performance Awards will be chosen under strictly impartial examination. The Best Performance Award winner will receive a prize of $10,000 USD and their award-winning work will be exhibited at the ADF booth of the “Milano Salone” held in 2021 (ADF supports up to $10,000 USD separately as production and construction expenses). The exhibition site is located in the Zona Tortona, known as the most popular place in the “Milano Salone” off-sites. We are looking forward to receiving innovative and unique entries.
Judging Criteria includes: • Innovation • Originality • Extensibility • Functionality • The space creates communication friendly environment
Jury: To be Announced
Awards: • One (1) Best Performance Award; Prize $10,000 USD and Exhibition of the award-winning work • Two (2) Outstanding Performance Awards; Prize $1,000 USD
The winners will be announced on January 25, 2021
”ADF Milano Salone Design Award 2021” Summary
Title | ADF Milano Salone Design Award 2021
Design Theme | “re_”
Period | July 1 – November 15, 2020
Awards |
Best Performance Award – 1 work - Prize : $10,000 USD and an exhibition of the award winning work (ADF will sponsor for the production and site installation cost up to 10,000 USD for the Best Performance Award work) Outstanding Performance Award - 2 works, Prize: $1,000 USD There is a case of no corresponding work awarded.
Qualification Requirements | Individual or group (1 project per group) regardless of nationality
Application Fee | Free
Application Language | English or Japanese
Details | Go to https://pro.evalato.com/2455 to learn more and register
ADF (Aoyama Design Forum) is a non-profit organization established in Japan in 2009 that aims to train and improve the status of designers worldwide. https://www.adf.or.jp/english/
