For the next five weeks, the corridors of City Hall will serve as a community art gallery with the goal of helping the town come to grips with the Sept. 11th tragedy. Professional and amateur artists have come out in droves to share their experiences and their perspectives of that day.
"Hoboken as a community sustained a great loss, and we want those who lost a loved one to know that we are here for them," said Mayor David Roberts at the Tuesday night gala opening of the exhibit. "Hopefully this show will bring comfort and solace to our neighbors. Not to bring sorrow, but to give us hope."
"9-11 Remembering and Healing" is the inaugural event of the Hoboken Sept. 11th Fund. The fund is charged with facilitating the construction of a memorial on the Hoboken waterfront. The memorial will honor the memories of Hoboken victims of the World Trade Center tragedy, as well as the spirit that has emerged in the city since.
Preliminary plans have an appointed board designing and supervising the placement of a monument on Pier A Park. There has also been talk for renaming the park to reflect the impact those events had upon the city. The members of the board will be made up of city officials, artists and residents.
The city had hoped to announce the members Tuesday, but because the selection process has not yet finished, the city has put off announcing the board until an undecided date.
"This art show and memorial is an excellent idea," said City Councilman Richard Del Boccio as he toured the exhibit. "The artists have done a fantastic job. Their work and the memorial that we as a community will build are, and will be, a respectful tribute to Hoboken’s victims."
The art show will run until Dec. 28 at City Hall and simultaneously in the Landmark Building at 1 Newark St. Overlooking Pier A Park on Hoboken’s Waterfront, the Landmark Building was chosen as a display site because of the special meaning Pier A Park took on the days following the tragic events. People came to the park to look at the skyline and reflect, and to leave candles and flags.
The 40-foot by 40-foot space in the Landmark Building was donated for use by local resident James Kocis, president of the Burgiss group, whose company resides in the building.
On display
The artwork on display ranges from pieces from local gradeschool students to powerful black and white photographs depicting residents’ viewpoints of the fateful day.
"Everyone sees what happened in their own way," said Garden Street resident Marsha Wilson. "Some are angry, some are sad, and some are confused. Having an opportunity to go to a gallery like this helps you cope, ’cause you know that there is someone out there that feels the same way you do, no matter what emotion that happens to be."
The art show will continue to accept new pieces for the duration of its run. Those that are interested should contact the city’s director of cultural affairs, Geri Fallo, at 420-2207. Those wishing to donate to the Sept. 11th Fund should send their donation to The September 11th Fund, Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Call 420-2013 for more information.