Fragile materials bind a tolerant society as a woven basket is held together with slender reeds. The glass weave is strong and resilient.
We enter the memorial and see three elements: the Atlantic Ocean, Journey Bridge and Starlight opening. Sunlight from the ocean refracts through the blocks, which illumine and darken with the day. Life is symbolized by light, human spirit by the flames of a candle. The glass blocks are the candles lit in remembrance.
The Journey Bridge is entwined in an unsettled weave of cedar beams. Under the Starlight opening, we travel the bridge while vulnerable to the elements. We struggle as with Jacob’s ladder to rise higher in this world and to overcome the human capacity for cruelty.
We recall the loss of life at times when tolerance has vanished. We move through this memorial, this place and time and gather our awareness. We bring only our memories and values into the memorial. It stands without embellishment.
The GLASS WEAVE reminds us that life is fragile. Yet it reflects the enduring strength that we derive from our shared humanity.
Architect: Thomas Roszak Architecture, LLC
Structural Engineer: Werner Sobek
ACBHM and a PDF with greater detail can also be found at http://roszak.com/Thomas_Roszak_Architecture/Projects/Pages/ACBHM.html
