By Meredith Caraher DNAinfo
2002 mural, Celebrating the Heroes of Our City
A mural in Henry M. Jackson Playground on the Lower East Side of Manhattan commemorating the September 11 attacks has received a 3-D facelift. DNAinfo reports that damage to the original 2002 mural, “Celebrating the Heroes of Our City,” led CITYarts to put out a call for volunteers to help repair and re-imagine the 11,000-square-foot painting.
The 3-D artist Yanusz Gilewicz managed the project, and gave workshops at the Henry Street Settlement and the Grand Street Settlement along with artist Leon Reid IV to provide classes and instruction for the participants. The artists brainstormed with the children on what the new mural should include and the new additions depict 1 World Trade Center — officially the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere — a fire truck, and the Twin Towers covered in flowers. When viewed through Chromavision 3D glasses (available at nearby shops, and at both the Grand Street Settlement and the Henry Street Settlement), various elements pop out thanks to the optical illusion created by employing a paint layering technique.
Originally sponsored in 2002 by Disney, CITYarts received help from the entertainment giant yet again. The restoration has been included in the company’s “30 Years Celebration of Volunteerism for the Community” program, and Disney volunteers worked along side children and firemen using special outdoors paint from another sponsor, Benjamin Moore.
Tsipi Ben-Haim, executive and creative director of CITYarts, told DNAinfo: “Today, this neighborhood is stronger, this park is thriving and children have brought their hopes and dreams to a renewed painting.”
