Sculpture
Twin Towers Sculpture
- Description
- Sculpture titled Twin Towers Sculpture by Michael Cooper. The sculpture consists of two towers made of copper and covered with religious icons, hearts, keys, and other symbols. The towers are mounted on a stone base. The sculpture has a multicolored patina, primarily green and a dark bronze color. It is housed in a custom storage crate, painted by the artist.
- Historical Notes
- This sculpture, created by artist Michael Cooper, survived the 2005 storm surge of Hurricane Katrina. The damage the sculpture sustained brought new meaning to the piece.
Curator's Comment
New Orleans native Michael Cooper was at work in Kenner, Louisiana, on the morning of September 11. Devastated by the coverage unfolding on TV that day, he decided to use his background in jewelry making to construct a copper representation of the Twin Towers. He adorned the towers with jewelry charms he had found and saved, fashioning an eclectic mix of religious motifs and symbols of peace. Many of the trinkets represent the diverse backgrounds of those killed on 9/11 while they also create an appeal for harmony and religious tolerance.
In 2005, Cooper was still living in New Orleans when storm surges from Hurricane Katrina flooded the city. The artist was stranded on his roof for three days before FEMA came to his aid. His home and studio were flooded, and the Twin Towers Sculpture was submerged in water for two weeks. As a result, the sculpture assumed a blue hue caused by moisture contact. After reviewing its damaged condition, Cooper put the work on hold.
In 2013, Cooper felt ready to resume work on his 9/11 homage. With the distance of seven years, he no longer viewed the blue water-discoloration as unsightly and instead nicknamed the disaster-altered appearance of the pieces “the Katrina patina.” He completed the sculpture in 2014. Although created as a tribute to 9/11, Cooper’s artwork evolved to reflect his own status as a survivor of a disaster, albeit one generated by nature, and transformed the sculpture into a testimonial to perseverance.
In 2005, Cooper was still living in New Orleans when storm surges from Hurricane Katrina flooded the city. The artist was stranded on his roof for three days before FEMA came to his aid. His home and studio were flooded, and the Twin Towers Sculpture was submerged in water for two weeks. As a result, the sculpture assumed a blue hue caused by moisture contact. After reviewing its damaged condition, Cooper put the work on hold.
In 2013, Cooper felt ready to resume work on his 9/11 homage. With the distance of seven years, he no longer viewed the blue water-discoloration as unsightly and instead nicknamed the disaster-altered appearance of the pieces “the Katrina patina.” He completed the sculpture in 2014. Although created as a tribute to 9/11, Cooper’s artwork evolved to reflect his own status as a survivor of a disaster, albeit one generated by nature, and transformed the sculpture into a testimonial to perseverance.
- Accession Number: C.2015.323.1
- Dimensions: 29.25 in X 4.25 in X 5 in
- Dimensions (Metric): 74.295 cm X 10.795 cm X 12.7 cm
- Source: Michael Cooper
- Credit Line: Gift of Michael A. Cooper
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