2006 | Phoenix, AZ | Public Memorial | 2,000 sq ft

Timelines, history, and a spectrum of emotional responses are laser cut into a circular steel canopy. Words materialize, grow legible, then disappear in combinations dictated by the sun’s changing positions. A beam fragment salvaged from Ground Zero sits atop a concrete base on the northern edge of the memorial, illuminated by a circle of sunlight at 12:00 noon every September 11th. Masonry rubble from the Pentagon attack and a handful of Flight 93 Shanksville dirt was ceremoniously mixed into the wet concrete forming the fragment’s base. Located in the Arizona State Capital Mall.

Moving Memories

Memory is the sun that lights the material of history.

The sun moves.

The memory of September 11, 2001 casts a shadow from New York City, Washington D.C., and Shanksville Pennsylvania to, and through, us here in Arizona.

It is the shadow of many decisions and nearly 3,000 lives lost. This memorial intends to bring them to light for you.

Here, from ten in the morning until three in the afternoon, the sun reveals descriptions of that day’s decisions and reactions.

The sun moves.

Our memories appear then transform in time.

The combination of letters and shadows before you represents the approximate number of people killed in the attack.

That day’s memory is made tangible by the piece of steel beam, salvaged from the destroyed World Trade Center. It rests on the concrete pedestal that was mixed with rubble and dust from the Pentagon and earth from Shanksville Pennsylvania.

Decisions make history. Moving memories reveal it. The sun shines on us all.

by R.D. Phares

In collaboration with colab studio, llc.

• Culture
• Government
• Public Art