Collage
Flames & Flight
- Description
- Framed collage titled Flames & Flight (2001), created by Audrey Irwin. The collage depicts the Twin Towers against a bright blue background representing the sky as seen on the morning of September 11, 2001. The Towers are cut from specialty paper and are mathematically accurate to the proportions of the original buildings. Color Aid Paper in black and gray is cut and collaged to represent smoke pouring out of the impact zones. Orange-colored paper cut into human-like figures appear to fall from the towers. At the bottom are torn pieces of handmade white paper and newsprint representing the debris.
- Historical Notes
- Audrey Irwin is a working artist and an arts education professional in New York City. A witness and survivor of the 9/11 attacks, Irwin turned to art-making to help her process what she experienced.
Curator's Comment
On September 11, 2001, Audrey Irwin left her home on Manhattan’s Upper West Side to attend a meeting downtown. As Irwin ascended the Wall Street Station stairs in lower Manhattan, she was surprised to see both Twin Towers smoldering. When Irwin was unable to get to her meeting, she remained on the street, watching the scene until the South Tower began to collapse. Running away from the area, she found shelter in a nearby building. Eventually evacuating out of lower Manhattan on foot, Irwin did not return home until later in the afternoon.
For days afterward, like so many New Yorkers, Irwin closely followed television and print media coverage of the attacks and the unfruitful search for survivors at the destroyed World Trade Center site. About 10 days after September 11th, Irwin turned her attention to creating a series of collages based on what she witnessed.
For days afterward, like so many New Yorkers, Irwin closely followed television and print media coverage of the attacks and the unfruitful search for survivors at the destroyed World Trade Center site. About 10 days after September 11th, Irwin turned her attention to creating a series of collages based on what she witnessed.
- Accession Number: C.2022.5.2
- Dimensions: 21.5 in X 14 in
- Dimensions (Metric): 54.61 cm X 35.56 cm
- Source: Audrey & Dean Irwin
- Credit Line: Gift of Audrey Bethel Irwin and Dean Thomas Irwin
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