NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Artist Hani Shihada and 9/11 firefighter Niels Jorgensen unveiled a new "3D sidewalk chalk art" piece Saturday that honors the victims of 9/11 on the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
The installation, located near 38 West Street in Battery Park City, depicts the Twin Towers — appearing as if it is a reflection of 1 World Trade Center to those heading south at the foot of the Hudson River Greenway.
"This is our little message of the image of the towers shining from the image of the actual Freedom Tower...it's just a message of love and kindness," said Jorgensen.
Jorgensen is a former FDNY firefighter who was off duty on 9/11 — but quickly drove to his firehouse in Sunset Park to join his unit heading to Ground Zero. A decade after the terror attacks he developed leukemia and is now in remission.
"We're just reminding people we're still great country. We're not perfect; we have our blemishes, our bumps, our bruises — but it's still the best country in the world," he added.
Shihada, a Palestinian artist who immigrated to New York City in the 1980s, collaborated with Jorgensen on the piece to promote Jorgensen's "20 for 20" Limited Podcast Series that discusses 20 heroic stories about 9/11 for the 20th anniversary.
"I'm trying to capture the reflection of the Freedom Tower but [in] the reflection we're seeing the Twin Towers because they are still in our mind," Shihada said.
