Memorial Rays

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About Memorial Rays

Memorial Rays

"Memorial Rays" is a media project that asks people to photograph the "Manhattan solstice" as a way to reflect on Memorial Day. We New Yorkers tend to look forward, eyes alert and focused on the ground before us, moving with a rapidity that seldom languishes; Memorial Day, the beginning of Summer vacations, marks a time to look back and remember. It is also the day when the sunset aligns with the grid of the cross-streets of Manhattan. The sun's rays travel 93 million miles to light the city's caverns with color and turn the megaliths of commerce into a shrine of remembrance. "Memorial Rays" asks people to use their cameras and camera phones to create images from points throughout the city. The idea is to capture not only the sun, but the sun's reflections on the city's architecture, which suddenly lights up when touched by the rays of light; at the same time, we reflect on the events and sacrifices commemorated on Memorial Day.

Photographs can be uploaded to this Flickr group, or if not a Flickr member, emailed to:
labor33cart@photos.flickr.com.


In case of poor weather, photographs taken at sunset a couple days to either side of May 28 may also capture the effect. The project was conceptualized by multimedia producer Jared Lamenzo, with help from Organic Interfaces and Brand (design labs).

Time of sunset:
May 26 8:15PM
May 27 8:16PM
May 28 8:17PM
May 29 8:17PM
May 30 8:18PM

It is suggested that observers reach their destination about 45 minutes before the above times, as the sun's light gradually begins to pour down the streets; also, observers should never look directly at the sun! Crosstreets such as 14th and 42nd are good for observing the phenomenon, but also Long Island City and certain points in Brooklyn are advantageous.

This initial run is a test to better determine places from which the phenomenon may be observed, and gain new perspectives on it. The qualities of the materials from which buildings are made will also be examined to create future natural lighting events, using special software to predict where the sun will hit buildings.

Contact:
Jared Lamenzo
jaredlamenzo@post.harvard.edu