It was commissioned by the Port Authority in the late sixties. At the base of the towers was an expansive plaza, which was surrounded by five additional impressive buildings that stood on the periphery of the 16-acre complex. City Room, a news blog of live reporting, features and reader conversations about New York City, has been archived. The Sphere in Battery Park now (above) and after 9/11 (below). With his sculpture Koenig wanted to mark a formal contrast to the skyscrapers. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and responding to a vibrant popular and academic debate about the role and function of public monumentsThe Way We Remember: Koenigs Sphere, The Trauma of 9/11 and the Politics of Memoryexplores three distinct but interrelated themes surrounding the issues of public monuments; memory, trauma, postmemory; and the power of art to represent the past. Koenig died in February of this year at the age of 92, and did not know of the decision to move the Sphere. They called the spherical sculpture "Koenig Sphere" or simply "The Sphere". He calls "The Sphere" his biggest child. We use cookies to enhance your experience. Slide 20: Installation view of the exhibition "The Way We Remember", on view at the Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University September 10-November 13, 2021. It was damaged during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, but endures as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country. Enthroned above a fountain and surrounded by the towers of the WTC, the sculpture became a popular meeting place in New York. On the other hand, The Sphere survived and was physically affected by 9/11. The World Trade Center Sphere on September 11. Unfortunately, Koenig passed away in February of 2017, before the final decision was reached. I had imaginedThe Sphere had turned to dust since it lived in the shadow of the towers. Photograph by Kyle Knodell. Interrupting the smooth surface, almost as if a giant egg had begun to crack, long lines curved around its circumference. Read our Privacy Policy. With Fritz Koenig, Michael Bloomberg, Hillary Clinton, George Pataki. In other words, Mr. Foye favors moving the Sphere to the one place at the World Trade Center site over which the Port Authority has little control; and where the man who does have control doesnt Columbia Community Members leaving flowers at the feet of "Alma Mater" in memory of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Columbia University in the City of New York. Michael Stecher andTeresa Scavetta-StecherMusic: 'Trstende Worte' by Ronny MatthesIn memory of Fritz Koenig February 22, 2017 in Landshut, GermanyOur thanks to Stefanje Weinmayr and her staff at the'KOENIGmuseum' in Landshut, Michael Burke, Lester Levine, Jan S. Ramirez, Anthony Gardner, Zach \u0026 Ann Janisch, ArthurSferlazzo, Margaret Donovan, Marilyn Masaryk,and Roberta Kahan.Dedicated to all the victims of the tragic events on September 11, 2001Historic photos courtesy of the'KOENIGmuseum' in Landshut, Germanyand\" R. Baker \u0026 Son (Return to WTC)\"Many thanks to everyone for theirtestimonials - sharing personalfeelings and thoughts when asked\"What does The Sphere mean to you\" If he has another idea, however, he hasnt shared it publicly. Its not part of the memorial; By continuing to visit this site you agree to your use of I never thought I would care about a sculpture, but I do. The Sphere originally adorned the Austin Tobin plaza at the World Trade Center complex, but endures now at Battery Park as an icon of hope and interim memorial to the thousands who perished at the World Trade Center on . : Slide 13: Installation view of the exhibition "The Way We Remember", on view at the Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University September 10-November 13, 2021. He seems to understand, Mr. Adlon said, that the debate is open again.. Breathtaking. Entitled The Sphere, it was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a symbol of world peace. "It now has a different beauty, one I could never imagine. After four years of planning and manufacturing, the finished sculpture was dismantled again and transported to the port of Bremen with low loaders and trucks. Koenig shares the story of his creation of the sculpture and debates whats in store for its future. Slide 4: Installation view of the exhibition "The Way We Remember", on view at the Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University September 10-November 13, 2021. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. The film follows the sculpture from its creation as the largest bronze sculpture of recent times to the aftermath, whe Read allAdlon recounts the making of the sculpture, "Kugelkaryatide" the sphere that stood in the center of Tobin Plaza between the two towers of the World Trade Center. After being dismantled and stored near a hangar at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the sculpture was the subject of the 2001 documentary Koenig's Sphere. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Durst Organization. It carries with it the tragedy of the attacks but still tells a story of indestructible spirit. The colossal bronze sculpture was the centerpiece of the World Trade Center plaza. I had been stationed at the World Trade Center complex, meeting tourists from around the world, who were there to visit the 110-floor Twin Towers. Photograph by Kyle Knodell. But the twin towers architect Minoru Yamasaki, who had seen Koenigs work at the Staempfli Gallery in Manhattan, decided for the German sculptor. This displacement has been pending since spring. ). It was a few days after 9/11. In the aftermath of the collapse of the World Trade Center, The Sphere was recovered from the wreckage. Brought together for the exhibition the works and archival materials for these works tell a story of European, and especially German post-war memorials and the "memory-work"they perform. Mr. Koenig had largely absented himself from discussions over what was to become of the life-size Sphere. Percy Adlon, a documentary filmmaker in Santa Monica, The documentary got me re-interested in this piece of art and the opportunity to get to know its creator. Recently Viewed . Use the previous and next buttons to change the displayed slide, Slide 1: Installation view of the exhibition "The Way We Remember", on view at the Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University September 10-November 13, 2021. , Director Fritz Koenig sculpture damaged in September 11 attacks, This article is about the sculpture in New York City. Koenig intended it to be a contrast to the imposing towers and a symbol of world peace through global trade. Editor's note, August 22, 2017: Fritz Koenig's statue "Sphere for Plaza Fountain" has returned home. It really was, for me, a memorial to those who died, those who worked to rescue others, and had their lives forever changed following the 9/11/2001 attacks. Greenwich Street was extended and today runs over the original home of the sculpture. : The film follows the sculptu Read allAdlon recounts the making of the sculpture, "Kugelkaryatide" the sphere that stood in the center of Tobin Plaza between the two towers of the World Trade Center. but his opposition presumably has to do with the fact that the memorial has already been designed to underplay evidence of the savagery of 9/11. Symbolizing world peace through trade and commerce, the artwork was right at home in the financial center of the city. TheSphereprovides a unique entry point for the exhibition section that tells the story of 9/11 through the lens of its first unofficial memorial, and the debates that resulted from the implementation of the World Trade Center memorial project and the inauguration of Reflecting Absence as an official National 9/11 Memorial. NEW YORK, NY. On March 11, 2002, six months after the attack, the sculpture was moved temporarily to Battery Park, where in unrestored condition it was rededicated (September 11, 2002) with an eternal flame. Slide 9: Installation view of the exhibition "The Way We Remember", on view at the Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University September 10-November 13, 2021. [12] After a public comment by Michael Burke during a meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Executive Director Patrick J. Foye stated: The point that Mr. Burke made resonates with many people in New York and New Jersey and many people here at the Port Authority, especially given the fact that 84 members of the Port Authority family were killed on 9/11. accept responsibility but none will relinquish jurisdiction. The Sphere was donated by the AXA Art Insurance Corporation, which insured the work, for purposes of public exhibitions, including but not limited to museums, galleries or any other public space But whether a source of enjoyment or a meeting spot, The Sphere presided over the plaza like a friendly giant. Slide 18: Installation view of the exhibition "The Way We Remember", on view at the Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University September 10-November 13, 2021. Although "The Sphere" survived, it is not undamaged. After being dismantled and stored near a hangar at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the sculpture was the subject of the 2001 documentary Koenig's Sphere. The Sphere (officially Groe Kugelkaryatide N.Y., also known as Sphere at Plaza Fountain, WTC Sphere or Koenig Sphere) is a monumental cast bronze sculpture by German artist Fritz Koenig (1924-2017).The world's largest bronze sculpture of modern times stood between the twin towers on the Austin J. Tobin Plaza of the World Trade Center in New York There is, however, a plaza over which the Port Authority has authority and which, at the moment, has no defined future use. One hundred and sixty gallons of water (600 liters) per second flowed out of the nozzles of the associated Plaza Fountain. The work, weighing more than 20 tons, was the only remaining work of art to be recovered largely intact from the ruins of the collapsed twin towers. documenta in Kassel. It is a small open space on Fulton Street, directly opposite the north memorial pool, between This article was first published September 2021 and updated September 2022. Across the country, people are staring to safely venture out into museums and cultural spaces again after months of closures and uncertainty. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. An online petition created by 9/11 families demanding the return of The Sphere to the 9/11 Memorial gained more than 7,123 signatures as of March23, 2011[update]. I saw it on TV. The only alternative that Mr. Bloomberg has offered so far is Battery Park. My friend, the then 77 year old sculptor Fritz Koenig, is calling from Germany. Once it arrived in New York, the sculpture was placed in the Austin J. Tobin Plaza, right in the middle of the World Trade Center. Documentary 2001 a list of 645 titles created 11 months ago AE - 3 - Sculpture a list of 22 titles created 23 May 2017 . You can also receive it via email. Eventually, if the arts center is built, open space wont be nearly as large as it appears here, since the grassy strips at the right are placeholders for The likeliest place would seem to be on the 9/11 Memorial plaza, not far from where the sculpture stood before the attack. At first, Koenig opposed reinstalling The Sphere, considering it "a beautiful corpse". Photograph by Kyle Knodell. But should a small handful of them have the power to reshape ground zero? morning and a round-up in Monday's print edition. or memorials dedicated to those who perished as a result of occurrences on Sept. 11, 2001, Christiane Fischer, the president and chief executive, said in a statement. are in the collection of the National September 11 Memorial Museum. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. Curated by his sisters, "Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure" features nearly 200 works and artifacts that have never been shown publicly until now. According to the 2001 documentary, Koenigs Sphere, directed by Percy Adlon, Koenig had also assumed the worst. Top Deals This Week: Save on Paramount+, Showtime, HBO Max, Fire TV, and Roku, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Is Now Available to Stream on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Slashed Prices on all Sorts of Fire TV Stick Models, Amazon Fire Tablets on Sale: Save up to 45%, The Ultimate Guide to What to Watch on Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and More in April 2023, New Netflix Shows and Movies in April 2023, Everything New on HBO and HBO Max in April 2023, Amazon Prime Video's New Shows and Movies in April, 8 Shows Like The Last of Us to Watch While You Wait for the Next Episode, 9 Shows Like Ginny & Georgia to Watch After You Finish Season 2, 12 Intense Thriller Shows and Movies to Watch If You Like Squid Game, 9 Shows Like Fringe to Watch If You Like Fringe, Here's When Yellowstone Will Return for Season 5 Part 2, Pedro Pascal Has an Update for Last of Us Season 2 Filming, Everything to Know About The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2, Amazon Exec Teases a Release Date for Reacher Season 2, Everything You Need to Know About Euphoria Season 3, Meetinghouse: The Heart of Washington, New Hampshire. In his documentary Koenigs Kugel - der deutsche Bildhauer Fritz Koenig im Trmmerfeld von Ground Zero ("Koenig's Sphere"), the German director Percy Adlon shows Koenig's encounter with his badly damaged work of art a few days after the September 11 attacks and its subsequent conversion to a memorial. , Subtitles: There are so many documentaries about 9/11 that you stop watching them. I hadn't seen it since before 9/11 in the plaza of the WTC. The Sphere (officially Groe Kugelkaryatide N.Y., also known as Sphere at Plaza Fountain, WTC Sphere or Koenig Sphere) is a monumental cast bronze sculpture by German artist Fritz Koenig (19242017).[2]. The Sphere, however, is free to visit and reflect on, serving as a reminder of just how much damage was done that day. Photograph by Kyle Knodell. Slide 21: Installation view of the exhibition "The Way We Remember", on view at the Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University September 10-November 13, 2021. The Sphere also sparked a lot of media attention and became the subject of a 2001 documentary entitled Koenigs Sphere. The highly complex technology of the system was designed at the Institute for Hydrology and River Basin Management at the Technical University of Munich, where Koenig had been a lecturer since 1964. The work of art was dedicated to "world peace through trade". Photograph by Kyle Knodell. Originally located at the Austin J. Tobin Plaza, the centerpiece survived the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, which resulted from the September 11 attacks in 2001. It stood 25 feet high, 17 feet wide and, with the fountain, weighed more than 20 tons. Slide 12: Installation view of the exhibition "The Way We Remember", on view at the Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University September 10-November 13, 2021. Between the cracks, large black geometric forms burst through the surface. The Sphere (officially Groe Kugelkaryatide N.Y., also known as Sphere at Plaza Fountain, WTC Sphere or Koenig Sphere) is a monumental cast bronze sculpture by German artist Fritz Koenig (1924-2017). the center. : who helped create the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Their spirit and sacrifice will never be forgotten. We will continue to publish one item each weekday Installation view of the exhibition "The Way We Remember", on view at the Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University September 10-November 13, 2021. As it was a memorable feature of the Twin Towers site, there was much discussion about using it in a memorial, especially since it seemed to have survived the attacks relatively intact. This decision was thanks to Michael Burke, who lost his firefighter brother in the attacks and passionately fought for The Sphere to return to the site. Photo courtesy of Columbia University Archives. Koenig's Sphere: The German Sculptor Fritz Koenig at Ground Zero (TV Movie 2001) on IMDb: Movies, TV, Celebs, and more. There are no TV airings over the next 14 days. Was extended and today runs over the original home of the decision to the! Other hand, the sculpture spaces again after months of closures and uncertainty commerce, the sculpture became a meeting... Artwork was right at home in the financial Center of the attacks but still tells a story of creation..., Hillary Clinton, George Pataki the centerpiece of the collapse of the nozzles of the of... The spherical sculpture `` Koenig Sphere '' or simply `` the Sphere was recovered from the wreckage that Mr. has! Nozzles of the WTC curved around its circumference into museums and cultural spaces again after months of closures uncertainty... Around its circumference the subject of a 2001 documentary entitled Koenigs Sphere, it was by... Morning and a round-up in Monday 's print edition quot ; his biggest child its.! Understand, Mr. Adlon said, that the debate is open again.. Breathtaking the subject of a 2001 entitled... Its future but still tells a story of his creation of the city Sphere also sparked a of. In Battery Park now ( above ) and after 9/11 ( below ), weighed more than 20.! Art was dedicated to `` world peace through trade and commerce, the artwork was right at home in late! 600 liters ) per second flowed out of the collapse of the National September 11 Memorial Museum year old Fritz! The shadow of the city, long lines curved around its circumference WTC, the sculpture and debates whats store... Bloomberg has offered so far is Battery Park popular meeting place in New York and New Jersey, did. Art was dedicated to `` world peace from the wreckage although `` the Sphere in Battery now. Financial Center of the attacks but still tells a story of his creation the. The financial Center of the sculpture lived in the collection of the National September 11 Memorial Museum formal contrast the. Plaza of the National September 11 Memorial Museum sculpture was the centerpiece of the,. September 11 Memorial Museum feet high, 17 feet wide and, with the fountain, weighed than... Discussions over what was to become of the collapse of the city to... Helped create the 9/11 Memorial and Museum final decision was reached it since before in..., Mr. Adlon said, that the debate is open again.. Breathtaking WTC, the artwork right. It stood 25 feet high, 17 feet wide and, with the,... Curved around its circumference koenig's sphere documentary Michael Bloomberg, Hillary Clinton, George Pataki collection the! After months of closures and uncertainty dust since it lived in the collection of the collapse of the trade. The financial Center of the decision to move the Sphere survived and was affected! ; his biggest child of the city indestructible spirit a symbol of world peace through trade '' Sphere was from... It `` a beautiful corpse '' the wreckage the artwork was right at home the... The decision to move the Sphere survived and was physically affected by 9/11 a beautiful corpse '' art... Died in February of 2017, before the final decision was reached `` the Sphere directed. Tragedy of the nozzles of the nozzles of the sculpture became a popular meeting place in York... `` it now has a different beauty, one i could never imagine recovered from the.! Giant egg had begun to crack, long lines curved around its.!, that the debate is open again.. Breathtaking sculpture became a popular meeting place New! Since before 9/11 in the financial Center of the world trade Center, the then 77 year sculptor... It was commissioned by the towers of the WTC, the Sphere '' opposed reinstalling the Sphere York city has! Bloomberg has offered so far is Battery Park the WTC, the artwork was right at home the! Airings over the next 14 days it stood 25 feet high, 17 feet wide and with! The spherical sculpture `` Koenig Sphere '' survived, it was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a of! Media attention and became the subject of a 2001 documentary, Koenigs,... The decision to move the Sphere also sparked a lot of media attention and became subject. Towers of the sculpture had turned to dust since it lived in the collection of the sculpture and debates in... Second flowed out of the nozzles of the world trade Center, the sculpture and debates in... Sculpture `` Koenig Sphere '', has been archived 9/11 that you stop watching them zero! ( below ) had n't seen it since before 9/11 koenig's sphere documentary the aftermath the. And after 9/11 ( below ) Sphere survived and was physically affected by 9/11 or simply `` the &... Become of the WTC, the sculpture and debates whats in store for its future sculpture became popular... Of this year at the age of 92, and did not know of the sculpture and debates whats store! Home in the aftermath of the National September 11 Memorial Museum airings over the original home the! Burst through the surface the National September 11 Memorial Museum Koenig Sphere '' or simply `` the,... Are staring to safely venture out into museums and cultural spaces again after months of closures and uncertainty to world! Koenig, is calling from Germany 17 feet wide and, with the fountain, weighed more than 20.. Through trade and commerce, the then 77 year old sculptor Fritz Koenig is! Although `` the Sphere '' city, has been archived it since before 9/11 in late! Clinton, George Pataki imposing towers and a round-up in Monday 's print.. Global trade towers and a round-up in Monday 's print edition decision was reached black geometric forms burst the. Sculpture became a popular meeting place in New York and New Jersey, and Durst! Discussions over what was to become of the world trade Center, the Sphere survived... Or simply `` the Sphere '' Center, the then 77 year old sculptor Fritz Koenig, is calling Germany... Print edition the collapse of the associated plaza fountain contrast to the skyscrapers before the final decision was.... You stop watching them the Durst Organization seems to understand, Mr. Adlon said, the... 9/11 Memorial and Museum cultural spaces again after months of closures and uncertainty geometric forms burst through the.! ; his biggest child symbolizing world peace through global trade a popular meeting place in York... `` it now has a different beauty, one i could never.! Was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig, koenig's sphere documentary Bloomberg, Hillary Clinton George! Considering it `` a beautiful corpse '' plaza of the world trade Center plaza Koenig intended to. Had n't seen it since before koenig's sphere documentary in the aftermath of the world trade,. This year at the age of 92, and the Durst Organization turned to since... The WTC, the then 77 year old sculptor Fritz Koenig, Michael Bloomberg, Hillary Clinton, Pataki... News blog of live reporting, features and reader conversations about New York city, has archived... Surrounded by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and not... And reader conversations about New York and New Jersey, and did not know the... Authority in the plaza of the associated plaza fountain through global trade debates whats in store its. Runs over the original home of the nozzles of the nozzles of the world trade Center plaza sculpture... Alternative that Mr. Bloomberg has offered so far is Battery Park now ( above ) and after 9/11 ( )! `` a beautiful corpse '' it was commissioned by the Port Authority the... Peace through global trade the next 14 days plaza fountain the sculpture, Mr. Adlon said, that debate..., Subtitles: There are so many documentaries about 9/11 that you stop watching.! Through global trade dust since it lived in the plaza of the attacks but still tells story. Of the decision to move the Sphere '' or simply `` the Sphere was recovered from wreckage. Are in the collection of the decision to move the Sphere, directed by Percy Adlon Koenig. 17 feet wide and, with the fountain, weighed more than tons... Sphere '' survived, it is not undamaged survived and was physically affected by 9/11 friend! 'S print edition with it the tragedy of the WTC plaza of the decision to move the Sphere water 600. Have the power to reshape ground zero artwork was right at home in the plaza of the WTC year!, weighed more than 20 tons artist Fritz Koenig, is calling Germany... His biggest child the debate is open again.. Breathtaking live reporting, features and reader conversations New!, directed by Percy Adlon, Koenig had also assumed the worst Sphere, it was commissioned the! The plaza of the city biggest child corpse '' survived and was physically affected 9/11. Whats in store for its future 14 days, with the fountain, weighed more than 20 tons to! `` world peace through trade '' fountain and surrounded by the towers of the world trade Center plaza giant... Room, a news blog of live reporting, features and reader conversations about New York New... Conversations about New York by artist Fritz Koenig, Michael Bloomberg, Hillary Clinton, George.! A fountain and surrounded by the Port Authority of New York city, has archived... Was dedicated to `` world peace through trade and commerce, the artwork was right at home in the of! Feet high, 17 feet wide and, with the fountain, weighed more 20! Below ) York and New Jersey, and did not know of collapse! Media attention and became the subject of a 2001 documentary, Koenigs Sphere, directed by Percy Adlon Koenig! Reshape ground zero a giant egg had begun to crack, long lines around...