Programs and exhibits at James Branch Cabell Library in the center of VCU's Monroe Park campus offer opportunities for the community to reflect on September 11, 2001 and its aftermath.
VCU Libraries and its Friends of the Library present "9/11 Commemoration," a collection of installations and exhibits open from Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 23 at James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. An opening reception will be held on Friday, Sept. 9 from 4 to 6 p.m. beginning with remarks from contributors.
These programs explore September 11, 2001 before and after:
- Wall of Memories. Just inside the entryway of James Branch Cabell Library, patrons will find a blank wall where they may post brief reflections on September 11, 2001.
- World Trade Center Recordings: Winds After Hurricane Floyd. Stephen Vitiello, associate professor in the VCU Department of Kinetic Imaging, supplies an installation of sound recordings that he made from the 91st floor of the first World Trade Center tower in 1999. Vitiello's sound installation will be housed on the first floor of Cabell Library in an intimate gallery space where patrons can experience the recordings in small groups. Originally presented at the 2002 Whitney Biennial, the installation will also appear this year at MoMA PS1 as a part of the group exhibition "September 11."
- Construction Prints of the World Trade Center, 1967-1973. In the gallery space near the elevators on the first floor of Cabell Library will be detailed sketches commissioned to document the progress of construction of the World Trade Center from the foundation up to its significant position in the New York City skyline. These prints are on loan from VCU Friends of the Library members John Jay and Gail P. Schwartz and are by artists Nicholas Solovioff and Lili Réthi.
- Commemoration of the Tenth Anniversary of 9-11. Cabell Library Special Collections and Archives stages three exhibits: "Comic Artists Respond to September 11, 2001," "Artists' Books Commemorate September 11" and "Richmond and 9-11: 10 Years Ago." These exhibits draw on materials in three major collections (the Comic Arts Collection, the Book Art Collection, and university archives). The display is in the fourth floor gallery area.
This program, including the opening reception, is free and open to the public. Register online or by contacting Gregory G. Kimbrell at (804) 828-0593 or kimbrellgg@vcu.edu. Please also contact him for special accommodations. Parking is available for a fee in the West Main Street and West Cary Street parking decks.