Sunday, September 10, 2006

9/11

There's a hole in my soul.
I took the events of the 11th of September 2001 very personally. I knit this image in the days following the collaps of the towers. I simply HAD to work this in my hands to come to terms with the reality of it. I had cast on and went with it, using odds and ends. I did have to buy the metalic yarn.
This image was included in the exhibition Here Is New York- a democracy of photographs. The image is also included in the book Here Is New York. Please visit the site today and remember.
My image # is 2344
The world will never be the same.

18 comments:

Mary, Mary... said...

Oh Hila,
I watched the whole thing happen on CNN in Paris. I have never felt so helpless, shocked and frightened in my life. Your knitted piece has brought back that moment more vividly to me than any TV rehash. I thank you for reminding me what the anniversary really means in spite of the politicians,speeches, lawsuits and made-for-TV movies. Knitters will know just how tough every stitch was for you.

Anonymous said...

It was a truly horrible day. DH was on a plane on the runway in Newark that day and watched in horror. We saw the smoke that you show in your knitting, from our back deck for a week. We live 45 miles away in NJ.
Your art brings me back. You are right. The world did change that day.

Dave said...

Our whole office stopped work that day to watch on television. We were totally horrified. Many of us then went to our local Red Cross to give blood. Although we knew that it wouldn't change anything or help what happened in NYC one bit, we just had to DO something

That's one very powerful pieces of knitting. I can't begin to imagine the emotions you were going through as you made it.

Annelie said...

It's beautiful but terrible, your piece. Don't know how many times I saw the planes crash on tv, couldn't believe it anyway. It felt like it was cut from a bad movie.
Three years later Anna Lindh was murdered the same date. She was Secretary of State in Sweden, mother, wife and role model for women around the world. Februari 28th 1986 was Olof Palme murdered. When our prime minister was shot down in open street was the day when world around most swedish people changed. Never again would this country feel as safe again so I can surely connect to what you feel and mean.
Millions of people around the world sends their thoughts to the american people and especially to all the familys who lost a dear one five years ago.

Alice said...

I am remembering too. It's not something to forget.

Rain said...

It was a terrible event and remembered with such sadness.

Hilde C. said...

When I saw your knitted piece today, my tears started flowing.
I remember being at my local grocery store that day. The shopkeeper, normally being very calm and collected, was extremely upset. He said something about a plane, but I didn’t understand what he meant. 5 minutes later I was back home, turned the TV on, and I could not believe my eyes. I sat watching for hours, still unable to understand it. What it must have been like for you is probably something the rest of us will never truly understand. I guess we can just comprehend a little bit.
I believe every knitter leaves something of themselves in everything they make. We sit thinking of the person we are making a present for, or wondering if it will turn out the way we hope. We sit there caressing a soft yarn or admiring the colours. But I have never seen a knitted piece with such a dramatic and painful history behind it. I can only imagine the strong feelings you were experiencing while making it. You are right; the world will never be the same, but I hope that one day the hole in your soul will be mended.

m. said...

What a beautiful testament to such a horrible day. Thank you for sharing this with the world.

Anonymous said...

I can remember that terrible, helpless feeling. Going down the block and seeing the smoke across the river was terrifying. And still it's like there's a gap in the skyline. I don't think any of us will ever be the same again.

Carole Knits said...

That's amazing.

Annie said...

It is still hard for me to think about 9/11. I was about to take the subway to Brooklyn Bridge to take a dance class. I was running late and went online briefly when a friend im'ed me to turn on the news. The second plane had just hit. I sat stunned watching from the UES, the sky was blue and sunny and people were just going out for their morning coffee, and unknowingly yet, our world had changed so terribly.

I spent that summer teaching swing dance lessons every Thursday out on the WTC plaza. I wonder how many of those people I remember laughing and having a good time are no longer here?

I am amazed that you could knit that scene, on an emotional level! Thank you for sharing it.

Crescent said...

What an incredible expression this is! Your creativity surely touches deeply all of us who deal with this tragedy.

Anonymous said...

very sad to remember.
as a non-knitter, I wonder what you do with this kind of knitting, since you can not waer it.

barbp said...

That day was probably the strongest lesson I had in how precious life is - the tragedy of death on that magnitude hit me like a brick. Your knitted piece is so evocative of what many of us remember.

Thank you for sharing.

Nana Sadie said...

Oh my. What a terrible beauty. Your work is stunningly gorgeous. The reason behind your needing to knit it was a hideous horror.
(sigh)
We all went thru hell and back that day. I hope your knitting was the catharsis you needed. I hope it helped you to heal.
I cannot imagine what it must have been like to be so near such devastation.
(((hugs)))

gail said...

I love your September 11 memorial knitted piece. Thank you for your comments about the death of my cousin. Yes, wars are senseless. The death of my wonderful cousin, and all the wonderful people killed in war, emphasize the senselessness.

teabird said...

I second Knitnana's description. "Terrible Beauty" is perfect - and I am awed by your creativity.

Garngamen said...

My dearest NY Friend. Being close to a chatastrophe changes oneself, and they do take a long time to heal. Great for you to express it like this, and share it. You have my thoughts and empathy. Strong! Emotional. The world is horrified of this senseless killings.