2,977 lights rebuild the Twin Towers in 9/11 tribute over New York Harbor

In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, a public light installation transformed the skies over New York Harbor this week, with 2,977 individual lights rising into the night, one for each life lost in the tragic events that day. 

Created with input from 9/11 families, survivors, and responders, the aerial artwork builds on the visual language of the annual Tribute in Light while introducing a more architectural gesture.

Video courtesy New York Foundation of the Arts

Titled 2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor, the installation first gathers the lights into a swirling helix before assembling them into a representation of the Twin Towers at full architectural scale. 

The project brings together creative director Addison Mehr, producers Sky Elements, designer Yan Paul Dubbelman, and artistic advisors Studio Drift, Shigeru Ban, and Dean Maltz. 

A musical score featuring works...