DEBRA HOLT
Gallery Two: "911 REVISITED ”, Long Term Installation

Debra Holt, a former New York City resident incorporates her memories of the city into the installation, 911 Revisited which focuses on the tragic events of September 11, 2001 not only as an instrument of grief, but also as a tribute and memorial to those who gave their lives on that day.

The tragic events of September 11, 2001 still linger in the minds of most people, particularly anyone who lost a loved one in this terrible tragedy. It is to these victims that Debra Holt dedicates the installation 911 Revisited, on view through October. The solemn environment serves as a shrine in honor of everybody who lost their lives on that day, and the heroes who sacrificed themselves in order to save others. Through 911 Revisited, artist Debra Holt creates an appropriate homage to those who suffered on that day by re-examining what the city of New York, the country and the world went through on that day. It is a powerful trip for anyone who was affected by 9/11, and it revives feelings that most people can relate to regarding the tragedy.

The installation inspires an overall feeling of reverence usually reserved for churches, temples, and holy sites. It somehow does not feel adequate to greet this environment in any other way than with a quiet, reserved and respectful disposition. The installation combines many different elements and divides itself into different sections in order to address the different range of emotions most Americans had to deal with during, and following, this tragedy.

Walking into the installation, one is greeted by Impact and Flames- metallic prints of fire which offer a dark reminder of personal memories of 9/11. The words “GROUND ZERO” are spelled out in shards of glass on top of sand on the floor below the prints.

A Heroes’ Wall pays tribute to the New York City Fire and Police Departments, where newspaper clippings, candles, veils, and objects that are symbolic of fire and police officers are arranged in a sort of shrine to the heroes who died saving others.           

Following the Heroes’ Wall is the Grief Wall, the interactive section of the installation meant to bring viewers’ reactions to these events.  Three canvases stand against the wall, surrounded by objects, candles, images and other reminders of 9/11.  The interactive Grief Wall allows visitors to grab a marker and vent and express their own thoughts and feelings about 911. 

The Grief Wall is followed by Scream, a large painting which takes up an entire wall and taps into the horror and desperation felt by people on this day. The familiar imagery of Edvard Munch’s The Scream, a painting which at its time represented the human species through existential angst, and was inspired by the powerful Krakatoa volcanic eruption of 1883. Just like her predecessor, Holt’s Scream is placed in context of a tragic event and speaks of the human condition, and the overwhelming feeling of intense grief caused by these events.

The following section of the installation, the Signs of the Flag Wall, is covered with newspaper articles pertinent to the September 11 tragedy, which have been collected from the day of the attacks through today. A series of paintings reminiscent of the aforementioned Scream, which also express grief and sadness are suspended in front of the newspaper articles. The American flag is accompanied with the paintings to represent the unity of the American people through these events and as an outrage for the fact that they had to occur. 

Next to Signs of the Flag is Real Memories, a table organized as a shrine in honor of the civilian lives lost in 9/11. This arrangement displays everyday objects such as photographs, crucifixes and small objects that people leave behind after they die. They are reminders that the lives lost on that day were people who had belongings, preferences, and feelings towards specific things, which were left abandoned after they are gone.

Finally, the last section of the installation, the Prayer Wall, serves as a symbol of faith- not only the many faiths which people believe in, but it also symbolizes faith in humanity and that we may co-exist peacefully in the future. The wall combines religous symbols representing the three religions of the Book- Christianity, Judaism and Islam. This wall serves as a symbol of faith that allows visitors to pray, meditate or ponder.  Prayers are offered to pay respect to God and others.

The room is unified by common themes- flowers, religious symbols of hope, and pictures of the people who died on that day- as well as a central altar containing objects related to the tragedy.  These objects linger in order to deliver a clear message: even though we should move on, it doesn’t mean we should forget.

911 Revisited serves as an appropriate homage to the suffering and grief felt throughout the world on September 11, 2001 and viewers can appropriate the installation and make their own personal vehicle for coping with these sad events. It is a powerful, emotionally jarring trip through the disturbing memories of this day, and at the same time, it is an appropriate tribute to the heroism and kindness of human beings, which came through when the world needed it the most.

Debra Holt has exhibited her work in both New York and Miami galleries and museums. She graduated with a Masters of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute, New York, and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Florida International University.  Holt’s extensive travel experiences in both United States and Abroad have influenced the development of her various artistic expressions. 

To view the artist bio: http://www.abbafineart.com/artist_bio.htm