Art and world events reaction

    The horrifying events of September 11, 2001 sent a disturbing chill across the globe of fear and insecurity. On this day I was on my third day of school in sixth grade and after an hour or so of being there all classes was to report to the school cafeteria. We all sat in the cafeteria confused and uninformed of what was happening. Then we were told that class was cancelled for the day and we will all be picked up by our parents. Not until I got home and watched the world trade center being attacked on the television did I realize what was happening. The distressful reality of violence hit me also how vulnerable people in general are no matter what background a person may be. Three works of art that can be associated to 9/11 and in their own ways express how dark this day was to all Americans and the rest of the world are "911 Explosion" by Robert Selwyn, "untitled"(atomized passenger aircraft engine)by Roger Hiorns, and "Unidentified woman" Sarah Charlesworth.      "911 Explosion" by Roger Hiorns depicts the instant impact of the airplane hitting one of the towers. The painting is done in different tones of grey to set the mood of devastation. The artist in the utmost detail added the debris from the building being blown away as if the building was just struck. The thick clouds of smoke consumes the top part of the building make it look realistic almost like a photograph. This painting illustrates how artistically destruction can be.    Roger Hiorns in 2008 atomized a passenger aircraft engine and displayed it in MoMa Ps1in the center of the gallery floor. The atomized engine represents all the dust that was created from the excruciating heat of ignited jet fuel. This is a powerful piece because it proves how something as large and powerful as an aircraft engine can be converted into dust in minutes. It is almost like the metaphor for this nation, no matter how strong and wealthy The United States may be it can easily be destroyed within minutes.   "Charlesworth's series became freighted with new meaning after 9/11, whichwas marked by images of people falling to their deaths from the WTC. Approximately 200 people fell or jumped from the buildings most from 101^st-107^th floors of the north tower. None have been conclusively identified". Sarah Charlesworth's "Unidentified Woman" shows a pair of legs as if free falling from a building that resembles one of the towers from the world trade center. The most mind boggling thing is that the artist created this piece of artwork in 1980.                                 Art captures a moment in history and its statements are much more powerful because it is done with human emotion attached to it. The events of September 11, 2001 will be remembered for generation and teach the world of the power of violent acts and the extremes of those who commit them.                      Robert Selwyn, "911 Explosion", 2001 , Roger Hiorns, "untitled", 2008 , Sarah Charlesworth, "unidentified woman", 1980