Meaning 1

This week we were asked to show visual levels of designed visual information: Representational, Abstract, and Symbolic.

 I thought since the anniversary of September 11th is coming up it fit to show the process the Twin Towers went through. At first they represented our country with high prestige being the tallest towers on the New York skyline, then the abstract form of them on constant objects of remembrance, to now the symbolic memorial site the architects chose to build.

Representational

New York Skyline print.
http://www.postercartel.com/en/1700-5006.aspx?o=1030-5006

This portrait was painted among thousands of others when the World Trade Center was intact to represent the massive, importance that these two buildings meant not just to the United States but to the world. Having the sun setting behind the WTC front and center displays its prominence that the painter wanted the viewer to feel. Not only the painter, but the architects who designed the buildings, they knew it was going to be the tallest towers in the world at the time, and help put the United States on the power map. The two buildings stood tall and proud on the New York skyline for decades, it was a representation of our country's power. 

Abstract

Clip art illustration for sale to remember 9/11/01
http://www.clipartof.com/interior_wall_decor/details/United-We-Stand-September-11-2001-Text-Around-The-Twin-Towers-Flag-And-Bald-Eagle-Poster-Art-Print-1050272

When the towers fell the United States showed the most united patriotism in history. Graphics memorializing the day sprang up in full force. In these graphics you can not have such detailed buildings as in paintings, it becomes a blob on a shirt. The towers above just show the cubic form they had with the cone on top of the north tower and lines of light to show miniscule detail that there are windows. Yet the buildings still have their significance to the country in this graphic. 

Symbolic  

                       


 

      World Trade Towers Memorial site - 2011
     http://wandermelon.com/2011/07/20/911-memorial-in-new-york/

Finally there is the new symbolic meaning the WTC site has become. The architects now wanted to capture the significance of that area in New York. The pools are infinity pools that are exactly how big and where the towers were. They have to names of all who had passed on this horrific day. This memorial site is the ultimate symbolic representation of what that day meant and still will mean for decades to come. We will remember that day infinitely forever.