The arts community is holding a tribute at the flagpole on Polk Place throughout the day. Several speakers and performers from various arts-related campus groups will take place in front of a giant canvas that will display the public's feelings toward the attacks.
The memorial encompasses nearly every UNC-related arts organization or department, including PlayMakers Repertory Company, the Ackland Art Museum, Lab! Theatre and the Carolina Union Activities Board. The idea behind the memorial took shape Thursday, as Arts Carolina Director Amy Brannock led a meeting with the University arts community.
The memorial is the result of the arts community's cohesion, Brannock said. The memorial's centerpiece, an eight-foot-tall wall constructed by scene builders from PlayMakers, was built to evoke to the image of the Vietnam Memorial. Second-year art student Amie Robinson donated roughly 500 hollow wax doves into which people are invited to place letters, hopes and prayers. Members of the public will be able to add their handprints to the wall in silver or gray paint and can also bring candles, flowers and other tokens to place at the wall.
Art Professor Beth Grabowski, one of the event's coordinators, said the wall was constructed not only to make an artistic statement but also to offer the public art's healing abilities. "Whether it's poetry, hearing a song, seeing a dance, I think art is very therapeutic, and that is what people need," she said.
To enhance the remembrance of the victims, a bell will be rung at each of the times when the four planes crashed. The ringing of bells will be followed by various performances. An open mic will also be at the wall after 10:30 a.m. to provide members of the community a chance to express themselves.
Events surrounding the memorial will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue on Polk Place until 4 p.m.
The Arts & Entertainment Editor can be reached at artsdesk@unc.edu.
