Peter Samton

1. Seeing the World Trade Center towers from a distance:

The World Trade Center towers became a revered symbol not only of New York City, but of Wall Street, the USA and its advance into the new millennium. They illuminated New York City’s skyline from afar, giving the entire city a vitality– especially at night when they glowed like beacons, a new age light house by which ships, cars and planes were guided into the city saying “this is the center of town.” They reflected light – pointed to the heavens. A post war answer to the Empire State Building (by definition an earlier symbol of New York) the World Trade Center went further and eclipsed its big predecessor. From highways, waterways, and the sky, the World Trade Center marked the city and gave it cohesiveness and a purpose; the towers were symbols of this ever-growing city. New York became the definition of change.

2. Seeing the World Trade Center towers, up close:

The World Trade Center were never a friendly neighbor to those who lived and worked nearby. They felt too large, overbearing, and impermeable. The massive superblock prevented easy passage, other than negotiating its subterranean concourse, a New Jersey like mall with chain stores atypical of New York City. To enter the revolving doors at the base of 2 World Trade Center was like penetrating a massive wall that went endlessly to the heavens – it was an unnatural and uncomfortable feeling. There was always a big draft – “air sucked you in” by the incredible chimney effect. It was mentally and physically an intimidating experience. But there were few alternatives if you needed to move north/south or east/west – you had to enter. Finding ones way through or around was particularly difficult. The building dwarfed everything, shutting out the light and blocking passage. The best humanizing elements to occur in its short life were the “Green Market” with its little white tent structures, ripe fruits and vegetables sold by upstate farmers and the summer outdoor lunchtime and evening concerts, which helped to bring the Towers back to earth.