Project New York

Today, the names of the five finalists who succeed in the anonymous competition for the construction of a monumental monument to the victims of the terrorist attack in New York in 2001 should be announced. Symbolically, on the day of the tragedy, significant information is expected for five thousand project proposers from 62 countries. Among them are two project authors from Břeclav, who, as part of a team, developed their ideas about an almost hundred-meter object, to the construction of which people from all over the world were invited.

Antonín Vojtek, a painter and gallery owner from Břeclav, revealed his next plan, whose secrecy was prescribed until the last moment by the competition rules: "I realized my dream by applying, together with architect Martin Ondroušek, who handles the technical solution, for the competition. I heard a rather concise announcement about it on the radio," Vojtek confessed. "As one of the few Czechs, we participate in the competition with a project for a structure with a base of 22 meters and a fourteen-meter crystal at the top, with ninety white doves as symbolic souls of the deceased people," summarized A. Vojtek, outlining his dreams contained in the detailed project developed over many pages.

He spent months working on it with Martin Ondroušek since this spring. We will follow the outcome with the same tension as the project authors, and in the next issue, we will inform you both about the result and the appearance of the monument.

New Life - September 11, 2003 - Issue 37 - Page 1

Author's Word:

The monument to the victims of terrorist attacks is conceived as a thorn, which was thrust into America, but also the world, with the aim of killing innocent people. It expresses the feeling of apocalypse (black - red) in which thousands of human souls rise to the heavens (to heaven) - upwards - to the glass crystal - pyramid, expressing nirvana and heavenly peace.

Human souls are expressed by white birds flying from the places of ash and fire.
The monument impresses visitors not only with its creativity, dignity, and piety but also evokes shocking feelings by accumulating white bodies and their dimensions.
The monument is located at the intersection of main streets - it will be visible from all places, and from all angles, it will evoke the same impressions. Its shape - a cone and white formations, placed irregularly on the cone's body, will evoke the same impressions from any place.
The monument is located in the center of the compass, which will be created by colored paving. There will be wheelchair access to the monument from all (four) cardinal directions. The cardinal points will symbolize an invitation for people who want to pay homage to the victims and for those who condemn terrorism anywhere in the world. At the same time, the compass will alert that it is necessary to fight against terrorism, whether it comes from any cardinal direction.
Around the monument, we propose a place for contemplation, for those who want to spend these moments outdoors near the monument. The second place will be inside the monument. A mystical place where there will be a constant atmosphere on an elevated platform during the day and night. The glass cone will let light in from a height of about 70 meters, and the openings will create the impression of stars. The observer will then find himself on a platform designated for contemplation. Stairs around dozens of photographs (documents) reminding of tragic events will lead to the platform.
In the night hours, on the contrary, the openings will be illuminated from the inside by a strong light source, creating the impression of movement of bodies - wings - the entire monument will become kinetic.

The monument, with its shape and size, will bring a completely new, unconventional element to a place full of austere shapes of high-rise buildings. The monument will express not only the fateful tragedies but also humanity and spirituality. The overall scene will lead not only to a strong emotional experience but also to a sense of harmony between man and the environment and surroundings.

From Sketch to Computer Processing: