by CAROL MacALLISTER

HIGHLANDS, NJ  —  The first and largest phase of the Memoria Project, two 13-foot high white marble columns shaped like the former World Trade Center buildings and created to commemorate the Sept 11th, 2001 atrocities have been completed.  A permit allowed the project to be housed and worked upon at Sandy Hook National Park, but the permit has expired.  Originator and sculptor, Stephen Shaheen, says, "It's time to move on."

Federal law requires that memorial structures cannot be erected in a national park until at least 25 years have elapsed since the event.  A literal "Act of Congress" can override the law, but the process is long and complicated.  Representative Frank Pallone plans to address the issue.

At Sandy Hook, lecturers held workshops and talks educating over six hundred people in stone sculpture related programs.  Hundreds of visitors watched two Italian artisans, Marcello Sennati and Ampelio Rinaldi work with their former student, New Jersey sculptor Stephen Shaheen.  Many victims' families, along with other volunteers helped with the hands-on carving and related activities. Mitchell Scenic Overlook Park, in the Atlantic Highlands had been offered by Monmouth County Freeholders as a permanent home, but disappointing realizations fell into place: the area is too small to accommodate visitors and not larger enough to lay out the entire work as planned.

photo Carol MacAllister

Each of the two columns have engaged figures that rise in symbolic spirit from its top: one male and one female.  Five outer boulders will ring the columns representing the five sections of the Pentagon building. Workers will carve all victims' names into the boulder's interior sides that face the two columns.  Seven pieces in total symbolize the three buildings and four aircraft destroyed.

The black granite boulders, valued at $60,000, were donated by the Virginia Mist Group, and the four blocks of white marble by the Vermont Quarries Corporation. To date, over $500,000 in cash and donations have from individuals and businesses.

After the Mitchill Park disappointment, John Tedesco, Highlands Borough administrator offered Veteran's Memorial Park as an interim site while a permanent location is found.  The two sculpted columns will rest on a circular grassy area in the park for about a year.

On Friday, September 6th, I watched Shaheen direct the columns' placement.  The one from which the strong male figure forcefully breaks-free takes prominence.  The quieter placement of the second piece from which the female figure pulls is stepped back and draws the viewer up to and in-between the towering pieces.

Each column is comprised of two sections: one is stacked upon the other.  A noticeable gap between the two is due to a spacer that allows moving straps to be attached.  When the columns are set permanently the two sections of each sculpture will appear as one. 

I viewed the project in Friday's strong sunlight.  Veins of quartz within the white marble glistened and made the columns sparkle.  As the sun moved across the columns, contrasts changed the figures' appearances.  A local resident told of how the recent rain-drenched surfaces caused the pieces to take on even another quality.  He quietly pointed out the haunting sadness of the woman's carved face.

Highland's Veteran's Memorial Park is one of the sites under consideration as a permanent location for the memorial.  The pleasant waterfront park is within viewing distance of Manhattan.  Benches and walkways are positioned correctly and the size of the circular grassy area appears proportional to the scope of the project.  However, Shaheen points out that there are a few physical aspects that need to be reworked, the most significant: the ground needs re-contouring so the entire project can be laid out properly.

Surviving families, rescuers and helpers involved with the World Trade Center attack live within the surrounding towns.  Many have already paid tearful visits to the site.

More community/corporate funding is needed to finalize the project.  Information can be found on the website www.memoriaproject.com or 732-483-0974.