Hurricane Maria memorial, NYC, 2019
VSA’s submission, ROOTS, made the interview round for the New York City competition, the Hurricane Maria memorial, in Battery Park. We were interviewed on Nov 22, 2019 by the NYC commission’s art consultant. We honor the victims of Hurricane Maria, public art that shares some of the complex story of the vibrant community of Puerto Rico in New York. Our concept is based on the arching –architectural–roots of the giant kapok. The kapok is the national tree of Puerto Rico. We designed vaulting arches to create a unique place of contemplation: the arches also create portals into the bordering harbor on one side, and high rises on the other. The vibrancy and grit of the contrasting granite and copper speaks to the energy that the Puerto Rican community has added to New York City since as far as back as its first settlers in the 1850s. The symbolism of the roots, at once bare but regenerating, gives hope to the victims’ families. Mural within proposed by Cesar Vivero. Design Lead: Valerie Schweitzer. Support Team: Hacken Li
