By Julie Shapiro
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
TRIBECA — An 11-foot-tall sculpture reminiscent of the Twin Towers will go on display in TriBeCa this spring.
The bronze artwork, called "911," will anchor Finn Square, at West Broadway, Varick and Leonard streets, from May 4 through November.
"It's about the tragedy that occurred and the renewal afterward," said sculptor Bill Barrett, who has lived in TriBeCa for over 40 years.
The sculpture, which won final approval from the city last week, consists of two tall bronze slabs, with wavy organic forms draping between them.
It is part of Barrett's Lexeme Series, a group of sculptures he began in the months following 9/11. They all have rectangular forms, symbolizing the towers, and flowing shapes, symbolizing human energy and spirits.
"When I started doing [the sculptures], I wasn't thinking of the World Trade Center directly — until I saw what I was doing," Barrett said.
Barrett has previously displayed his work in Finn Square, which is around the corner from his studio, but he hasn't shown a sculpture there since 9/11. The idea for the sculptor to display his work in the area again came from Ted Karounos, who owns the Square Diner overlooking the triangular plaza and missed seeing Barrett's sculptures there.
Barrett received funding from Newmark Knight Frank, the Gural Family and Kouros Gallery to cover insurance and other costs of mounting the sculpture in the square.
Barbara Fultz, a member of the Friends of Finn Square, said she thinks the sculpture is a good addition into the park for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
"He transformed it into something we can cope with," said Fultz, who has lived in TriBeCa since 1975. "It's very beautiful."
Barrett said he wanted to evoke more than just the pain of 9/11 — he wanted to capture the communal healing that took place afterward.
"People started talking to each other in the street, saying, 'Are you okay? Can I help?'" Barrett said. "There was an uplifting feeling you got when you walked around TriBeCa. It's a new beginning, an affirmation of life. I hope people will enjoy looking at the sculpture and think positive things about the World Trade Center."
