Remembering 9/11

by Martha Cooper

The tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York City is a sobering one, marking a fundamental shift in how Americans viewed the world and how the world viewed America. But, in the wake of devastation and loss, the true spirit of New York City dusted off the debris to mourn, heal and recover, oftentimes with very public displays on sidewalks, streetlamps, stoops and homes.

Martha Cooper's photographs of street memorials erected in the days following the September 11 attacks comprise a touching and poignant look at how a city of many millions responded in so many ways, ranging from angry accusations to loving remembrances and prayers for peace. With messages in multiple languages rooted in many different cultures, these photographs reflect New York City's resilient and diverse citizens whom together make up the greatest city in the world.

80 pages, Paperback

First published July 26, 2011

About the author

She is perhaps best known for documenting the New York graffiti scene of the 1970s and '80s. Her most known personal work began while working at the New York Post. On her return home from the Post she began taking photos of children in her New York city neighborhood. One day she met a young kid named Edwin who helped expose her to some of the graffiti around her neighborhood. Edwin helped to explain to her that Graffiti is an art form and that each artist was actually writing his/her nickname. Edwin then proceeded to tell of the Graffiti King and asked if she would like to meet him. This is when Martha met Dondi, the first one who allowed her to accompany him; while Dondi was tagging she would take photos of his art. In the 1980s she put together a book of photos illustrating the Graffiti subculture called Subway Art. She has degrees in art and anthropology.
She was a photography intern at National Geographic Magazine in the 1960s, and worked as a staff photographer at the New York Post in the 1970s. Her photographs have appeared in National Geographic, Smithsonian and Natural History magazines as well as several dozen books and journals. She is the Director of Photography at City Lore, the New York Center for Urban Folk Culture. Cooper lives in Manhattan but is working on a photo project in Sowebo, a Southwest Baltimore neighborhood.
In the 1980s Martha worked briefly in Belize photographing the people and archaeological remains of the Mayan culture. Two sites that received publication in National Geographic were Nohmul & Cuello, both under the direction of Dr. Norman Hammond.

[From Wikipedia]

Reviews

[karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing never to forget. The world changed that day forever