A new contest sponsored by the Remember the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Coalition will create a commemorative piece of art as decoration for the building where the second deadliest disaster in New York City history occurred.
In 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire claimed the lives of 146 garment workers after a scrap bin on the eighth floor caught fire. The building, now known as the Brown Building, is owned by NYU.
“A very unique opportunity for anyone with a creative mind, the hope is that this Vertical Urban Memorial will not only honor the victims of this tragedy, but also educate and inspire all who see it up close or [approach] it from a distance down the various streets that surround the building in [New York City’s] urban setting,” memorial design competition director Ernesto Martinez said.
The coalition previously held a centennial remembrance for the fire. Mary Anne Trasciatti, a member of the executive board for the coalition, said they have already received designs from over 20 countries. The competition will be decided by a jury that is still being compiled but currently includes members from various fields, including architecture, labor history and fashion.
Although the final selection will be made by the jury, a community board, NYU affiliates and members of a landmark committee will also be able to give feedback.
“We wanted to make sure that when the ideas are being evaluated there are people there who can take an idea in its early form and have the ability to imagine and see the promise and potential of an idea in its early stages,” Trasciatti said.
Since NYU owns the building where the art will be displayed, the designs must meet a set of requirements that allow the premises to be accessible and functional to students and still uphold the requirements of the Landmarks Preservation Commission in terms of building structure.
“NYU students were among the first responders to the blaze,” NYU director of public affairs Philip Lentz said.
The university later acquired the building, and it is now part of NYU’s campus and used for academic purposes.
One of the requirements of the design competition is that the commemorative art must include the names of all 146 victims.
“There aren’t a lot of memorials that pay respect to working people and there aren’t a lot of memorials that honor women,” Trasciatti said. “There’s still a fight to be fought, and we can make a difference.”
Designs are being accepted until April 12 and a decision will be made in the summer.
“I think the fact that the memorial is going to be on an NYU building is absolutely fitting because many of the victims were young women and men the same age as students walking by,” Sergel said. “The opportunity to make this living history in our midst is extremely rare and extremely wonderful and only possible because NYU is being such a great partner in this endeavor.”
A version of this article appeared in the Tuesday, April 2 print edition. Emily Bell is a deputy city/state editor. Email her at [email protected].
