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Tim Tate’s cast glass and steel sculpture won the international design competition held in New Orleans. It took many years to pull together financing and organize the construction; the park opened November 29, 2008, timed to open before World AIDS Day.
In the words of the committe: Set in historic Washington Square Park, the New Orleans AIDS Memorial will provide a healing sanctuary for family and friends and will promote understanding of the human tragedy of the AIDS epidemic. It (was the) goal for the monument to create a public landscape where anyone who has been touched by AIDS can find comfort and consolation within a dignified and creative community setting.
The memorial, made of concentric bronze circles framing inspirational multicultural cast glass faces, will provide a powerful yet comforting reminder of the meaning behind the memorial. Leading up to the memorial, a pathway of granite stones, inscribed with names of loved ones, will allow visitors to reflect on the way this disease has forever transformed our world.
The sculpture’s design, which incorporates cast glass faces that keep watch thru metal portals, is the focal point for the yearly “AIDS Walk” that commences at the park.
photography by Jonathan Traviesa