Towers II
Towers II is a copper scupture made of square kufic calligrams that repeats the Arabic phrase, Alhamdullilah or "all praise is due to Allah". Towers II was born out of pain after the tragic murder of the artist's parents in Karachi and the subsequent murder of the influential stateswoman and politician Benazir Bhutto a few weeks later in 2007. Having spent many years in New York City, he regards the city as his playground and the World Trade Center Towers as the site of joyful memories. The city's grid-like plan reminded him of square kufic. Although created after the loss of his loved ones and the towers themselves, Gulgee's towering rectangles are intended as a reminder of better days and uplifting moments of youth.
Artwork Details
- Title: Towers II
- Artist: Amin Gulgee (Pakistani, born 1965, Karachi, Pakistan)
- Date: 2009
- Geography: Made in Pakistan, Karachi
- Medium: Copper; gas welded and electro-formation
- Dimensions: Left Tower: H. 43 in. (109.2 cm)
W. 5 in. (12.7 cm)
D. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
Right Tower: H. 43 in. (109.2 cm)
W. 5 in. (12.7 cm)
D. 8 in. (20.3 cm) - Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Gift of Amin Gulgee, 2023
- Object Number: 2023.440a, b
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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