Galveston, TX United States |
Tremont St. (23rd St.) & Winnie St. (Ave. G) | Galveston Wall of Remembrance |
since 30 April 2006 unknown |
The Wall of Remembrance project was initiated by Estelle and Arthur Alpert, long time Galveston residents whose son died of AIDS. From this intimate perspective, they felt the need for a suitable memorial of national merit that could attract public attention on the devastation wreaked by AIDS. Through the course of their experience, the Alpert also came to realize that very little solace is offered to those left behind by the death of a loved one. The Wall of Remembrance Charitable Trust, a 501 ©3 non-profit organization, was formed to raise funds for a public art sculpture that could be enjoyed by the citizens of Galveston.
The design and implementation of the wall was commissioned to T.J. Dixon and James Nelson, prominent, nationally recognized sculptors in the field of large scale public art pieces. The Dixon-Nelson team created a wall constructed of multiple layers of unpolished Texas granite and brown sandstone in front of which stands an eight-foot tall bronze figure. The figure is hollowed to represent the emptiness experienced by those left behind. The wall is designed with ledges that are formed to receive stones that can be marked with the name of a loved one. The use of stones for commemoration of those who have died has a long history in many cultures and religions throughout the world. The words of David J. Wolpe seem to best reflect the meaning of that custom as it applies to our project.
“…Flowers are a good metaphor for life. Life withers, it fades like a flower…For that reason flowers are an apt symbol for passing. While flowers seem to be a good metaphor for the brevity of life, stones seem better suited for the permanence of memory. Stones do not die.”
A site for the Wall has generously been provided by the AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas, Inc. at the site of their new building on the corner of Tremont and Winnie Streets in downtown Galveston. On completion, in the summer of 2006, the Wall was donated to the AIDS Coalition as an addition to the public art collection of the City of Galveston.
AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas, Inc.
The design and implementation of the wall was commissioned to T.J. Dixon and James Nelson, prominent, nationally recognized sculptors in the field of large scale public art pieces. The Dixon-Nelson team created a wall constructed of multiple layers of unpolished Texas granite and brown sandstone in front of which stands an eight-foot tall bronze figure. The figure is hollowed to represent the emptiness experienced by those left behind. The wall is designed with ledges that are formed to receive stones that can be marked with the name of a loved one. The use of stones for commemoration of those who have died has a long history in many cultures and religions throughout the world. The words of David J. Wolpe seem to best reflect the meaning of that custom as it applies to our project.
“…Flowers are a good metaphor for life. Life withers, it fades like a flower…For that reason flowers are an apt symbol for passing. While flowers seem to be a good metaphor for the brevity of life, stones seem better suited for the permanence of memory. Stones do not die.”
A site for the Wall has generously been provided by the AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas, Inc. at the site of their new building on the corner of Tremont and Winnie Streets in downtown Galveston. On completion, in the summer of 2006, the Wall was donated to the AIDS Coalition as an addition to the public art collection of the City of Galveston.
AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas, Inc.