Topic: 9/11 Scuplture in St. John's

[oldmanken]

I thought this was a nice story and a nice sculpture.  I was living in Ottawa at the time that 9/11 occured.  I remember hearing about all the planes being diverted to St. John's, Gander, and Goose Bay.  Some friends I go to school with volunteered to help during the stop-overs.

Link to the story:  http://stjohns.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=nf_statue_20040812

Link to sculpture picture:

http://www.sculpturebyluben.com/pages/sculptur/scul%2001to15/scul05cside.html

http://www.sculpturebyluben.com/pages/sculptur/scul%2001to15/scul05.html

Statue captures spirit of post-9/11 response
WebPosted Aug 12 2004 04:56 PM NDT

ST. JOHN'S  ?  A commemorative sculpture was unveiled at St. John's International Airport Thursday, to honour those caught up in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The bronze statue, which stands almost five metres high, shows two birds supporting one another on a spiralling column.

Built by Newfoundland sculptor Luben Boykov, The Embrace depicts the support and bonds shared between stranded passengers and the compassionate residents who otherwise would never have met them.

About 13,000 passengers landed within hours on Sept. 11, 2001, at four airports in Newfoundland and Labrador, once airports throughout North America shut down.

Hundreds of residents threw open their doors and community centres to provide shelter, food and support.

Betty Garland of St. John's says no one ever thought twice about coming to the aid of the passengers.

"You could feel things in the city. It was tense for at least that day, especially," she says.

"If anything happened today, it would be the same thing. It's in our blood. We're known for it."

Bill Mahoney, the chair of the St. John's Airport Authority, says despite the board's enthusiasm for the project, it ran out of money to pay for it.

Mahoney says that did not matter to Boykov.

"He was so enthusiastic and passionate about the piece," Mahoney says. "He finished the piece without any financial support."

Two mining companies and the airport authority ended up sharing the cost for the sculpture.

Boykov is travelling and was not able to attend the unveiling.

Boykov has created several prominent works in the province, including the Silent Witness memorial near Gander, which honours the 256 U.S. servicemen and crew that died in the 1985 Arrow Air disaster.

[Sirgod]

Man I hadn't heard about the planes being diverted there, but my respect for you canucks has risen even hire then before. that is a powerfull Sculpture, It looks like Hipocrates Staff in a way, but also has the tall stately Nature of the WTC buildings, and the top openening up to god.

Thanks for sharing this Ken.

Stephen

[FVA_C_ Blade_ XC]

Hmmmmm.it reminds me of the King's tree from ROTK.

[Gambler]

It is definitely a beautiful piece of art.

[oldmanken]

Too bad we can't do something similar here in Goose Bay.  Being an old Air Force base, we have quite a history here.  The U.S. Air Force used to have a boat load of people up here, and we were on the short list to become an official NATO base before the end of the cold war.

My father is CEO/Manager of the Goose Bay Airport, so unfortunatly I know they don't really have the cash to get something like this.  Would be nice though.

[Sirgod]

There's always a chance to have a small Movement, or donation type expression for there.

I would love to see both of our Countries honor each other more.

Stephen