The Art of Remembrance

9/11 observed through dance, music, theater, art

COMPILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER

PIIOTOS_WTC
Running concurrently with an exhibition of the same images at Espaço Soma in Sao Paulo, Brazil, “PIIOTOS_WTC” features images of the Twin Towers by 20 of Brazil’s most renowned photographers — who lived, worked or were passing through NYC between 1973 (the year the Twin Towers were inaugurated) and 2010. Curated by Sao Paulo-based journalist Fernando Costa Netto, the collection of images features work by Ali Karakas, Ângelo Maciel, Bob Wolfenson, Cassio Vasconcellos, Christian Sievers, Claudio Versiani, Cristiano Quintino, Claudio Elisabetsky, German Lorca, Gui von Schmidt, Ignácio Aronovich, Ivan Shupikov, Mario Fontes, Paulo Fridman, Paulo Vainer, Roberto Linsker, Rogério Assis, Tuca Reinés, Walter Nicolau, Lufe Gomes, Marcello Pallotta and Victor Andrade. On view from Sept. 7-17 (reception from 6-8pm on Wed., Sept. 7). At 1500 Gallery (511 W. 25 St., #607). For info, call 917-362-0770 or visit 1500gallery.com.

“NEW YORK”
With Christmas 2001 fast approaching, playwright David Rimmer (a Pulitzer Prize Finalist for “Album”) met with two producers to mull over the possibility of writing a few brief scenes for a show to benefit a group of psychiatrists volunteering their efforts for those impacted by 9/11. He thought it would be a weekend’s worth of work. Three months later, there was the full-length play “New York” — whose 15 characters and 16 scenes charted heartbreak and resilience in the days after 9/11. Having been produced around the world since its premier performance in April 2002, the work returns to New York — courtesy of The Group Theatre Too. Among the veteran actors featured are Broadway performers Polly Adams (“Lost in Yonkers”), Elaine Bromka (“The Rose Tattoo”) and Catherine Kellner (“The Iceman Cometh”). A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows — a nonprofit organization founded by family members of those lost on September 11th who have united to turn grief into action for peace.
Thurs., Sept. 8 at 8pm; Fri., Sept. 9 at 8pm; Sat., Sept. 10 at 2pm and 8pm; and Sun., Sept. 11 at 2pm. At the Hudson Guild Theater (441 W. 26th St.,  btw. 9th & 10th Aves.). For tickets ($18), visit NewYorkThePlay.org. For group sales, call Justin at 917-880-7724. Also visit grouptheatretoo.org.

READING: IN THE NAME OF GOD
Barely a year had passed since the events of 9/11, when PBS “Frontline” producer Helen Whitney set out to probe that ancient, nagging question as to how a loving God could permit such death and destruction (and how our faith is tested by such things). The resulting documentary — “Faith and Double at Ground Zero” — had a lasting impact on playwright Peter-Adrian Cohen. Based on the Whitney documentary, his new work (“In the Name of God”) concerns six men and women undergoing a profound crisis of faith sparked by what they saw on 9/11. Free. Sun., Sept. 11, 3pm reading (with a “Talk Back” session to follow). At Judson Memorial Church (55 Washington Square South). Visit judson.org, call 212-477-0351 or send an email to info@judson.org.

CHARTING GROUND ZERO: TEN YEARS AFTER
Seen from great heights, the hole left at Ground Zero seems even more shocking than those now-familiar close up photos of the smoldering ruins. But if the aerial view disturbs as it reveals the magnitude of destruction, it also provides a unique opportunity to view the event with a clarity that can only come from distance (and time). “Charting Ground Zero: Ten Years After” does just that — by using maps, cartographic representations and laser imaging to show the site’s evolution and rebirth over the last decade. Organized by Woodward Gallery, the original exhibition has traveled the country (and will ultimately be donated to the Memorial Museum at Ground Zero, for their permanent instillation). This updated version includes 2010 images produced with light detection and ranging (LIDAR) laser-based instruments mounted on planes — those unexpected weapons of 9/11. Free. Sept. 7-Oct. 23. At Woodward Gallery (133 Eldridge St.). Gallery Hours: Tues.-Sat., 11am-6pm; Sun., 12-5pm; and by private appointment. Visit woodwardgallery.net or call 212-966-3411.

PAINTINGS FROM THE PERIMETER
Since the mid-seventies, NYC resident Sally Pettus has exhibited paintings and sculptures throughout the city. In 2007, she was commissioned to make a large bronze fountain (“Quantum Leaf”) depicting the power of living, dying and regeneration. The sculpture is currently on display in Des Moines, Iowa. Closer to home, Pettus found herself walking the perimeter of Ground Zero (located near her studio). “Paintings From The Perimeter” depicts reflections of the new construction in polished granite and glass surfaces. Cranes perch on top of towers, I-beams are refracted in the windows of parked cars, and fragments of the other iconic buildings (including Trinity Church) record a moment in time and mark the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Sept. 1-17, at KS Art (73 Leonard St., btw. Broadway and Church St.). Gallery Hours: Tues.-Sat., 12-6pm. For info, call 212-219-9918 or visit ksartonline.com and kerryschuss.com.

AN EVENING OF DANCE AND MUSIC
Presented by The Joyce Theater Foundation, “In Performance: Com-memorating the 10th Anniversary of September 11:

An Evening of Dance and Music” features several prominent area artistic organizations in collaboration. The Limón Dance Company (with Voices of Ascension Chorus and Orchestra) will present José Limón’s 1958 “Missa Brevis.” This “Mass in time of war” is performed by 18 dancers and features music by Zoltán Kodály (which was completed during WW II’s siege of Budapest). The Paul Taylor Dance Company and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s will present “Brandenburgs” — Paul Taylor’s 1988 work for six men and three women (featuring Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 3 and 6). Also featured will be a new work by choreographer Jessica Lang. Free. At 5pm on Sat., Sept. 10 and Sun., Sept. 11; at The Nelson A. Rockefeller Park (North end of Battery Park City, west of River Terrace). For more info, visit joyce.org.

BROOKE JACKMAN FOUNDATION READ-A-THON
Known to for her love of books — and her compassion for others — 23-year-old Brooke Jackman announced to her mother (on the evening of September 10, 2001) that she was planning to leave her lucrative job in order to get an M.S.W. at Berkeley’s School of Social Work so that she could help disadvantaged children. In memory of the pledge that was cut short when she went to work at the World Trade Center the next morning, The Brook Jackman Foundation was created. The organization will celebrate 10 years of promoting children’s literacy with a two-part Read-A-Thon event. A one-hour stage show will feature performances by the popular teen rockers Care Bears on Fire, spoken word poets Justin Long-Moton and Ishmael Islam (from Urban Word NYC) and the Bari Koral Family Rock Band — as well as readings by Symphony Space founder Isaiah Sheffer and WNYC’s John Schaefer. They’ll be joined by elected officials, children’s authors and uniformed heroes of 9/11 (all of whom will read from some of their favorite works). Following the performance, there will be a “break-out” reading session for kids and families. Free. Sat., Sept. 10, 12-2pm. At the World Financial Center Winter Garden (220 Vesey St.). For more info, visit brookejackmanfoundation.org.