WTC > paintings

I discovered Barbra Streisand's "Higher Ground" album shortly before 2000, three years after its official 1997 release.

In the summer of 2002, when I started working on my World Trade Center Renaissance triptych, this record imposed itself as the most inspiring of benevolent mentors. Throughout its compositions, "Higher Ground" as a "concept album" celebrates humanity and spirituality, tolerance for otherness, love for one's neighbor and abnegation, forgiveness, faith and hope. The music is gorgeous, from start to finish. Streisand's interpretation is inspired – not even mentioning her voice’s splendor and her vocal’s mastership, on which one no longer needs to dwell, but of which this album reveals all the fullness, one more time.

When I started to think about the World Trade Center’s reconstruction, I found myself in a complete emotional symbiosis with "Higher Ground". Barbra Streisand's album transcended every one of my moments in painting. It accompanied my hand and proved to be a precious aid in the quest for the serenity and dignity necessary to tackle a theme as painful as that of September 11th. I am more than grateful to this album's extraordinary performer and to those who composed its music and lyrics. Humbly and sincerely. As one who is thirsty would thank those who quenched one's thirst.

Here is an excerpt from "Lessons To Be Learned", by Allan Rich, Dorothy Sea Gazeley and Marsha Malamet - one of the most beautiful compositions of "Higher Ground".
These few words dating from 1997, as sober, elegant and felt as they sound, illustrate our incomprehension and our dismay in front of tragedy -and in a premonitory perspective, that which struck New York on September 11th, 2001-, while still throwing a bridge towards light and hope.

Light and Hope.
The best of conclusions for
this reflection on the late
World Trade Center.

I do believe there's a higher power
But in our darkest hour it's hard to understand
So we start to question, start to doubt
We lose faith in what life's all about.

Why did the right road take a wrong turn
Why did our heart break,
why'd we get burned
Just like the seasons
There are reasons for the path we take.

There are no mistakes
Just lessons to be learned.