Triangle Fire Memorial Design Competition Opens For Entries

Latest

Triangle fire of 1911. One hundred forty-six mostly young immigrant women workers perished in the New York fire.
Triangle fire of 1911. One hundred forty-six mostly young immigrant women workers perished in the New York fire. Photo/Kheel Center, Cornell University

By Andi Sosin & Joel Sosinsky, The Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition

As America approaches the 102nd anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of March 25, 1911, the “fire that changed America,” it is worth noting that the same disregard for worker safety that made that preventable fire such a tragedy, the capitalist doctrine of profits over people, continues today all over the third world and in the erosion of OSHA worker safety protections in the USA.  One hundred and twelve deaths in the Tazreen factory fire in Bangladesh on November 24, 2012, and even more recent industrial tragedies in the US and around the world are continuing testimony for the need to protest against morally corrupt multinational corporations such as WalMart, which considers the literal blood of innocent workers on the garments they sell no disincentive for the American working class to flock to their stores in search of bargain prices.
There are lessons from the horrific deaths of 146 immigrant workers in the Triangle fire that cannot and must not be forgotten. The historical struggles of the past, now revisited here and abroad, should inspire us all to stand up and make our voices heard above the anti-worker, anti-labor union thunder that comes from the obscenely well-funded forces of the political extreme right. Over 100 years ago, it was collective activism and the rise of American labor unions that forced the politicians of this nation to embrace the stringent and effective safety rules and regulations in the workplace that we take for granted today.  The Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition, a truly grassroots group composed of victims’ family members and sympathetic social, academic and artistic organizations and individuals throughout the US, have joined in solidarity to create a permanent public art memorial to the victims of the fire and to the workers and activists (many of whom were women at a time when they still did not possess the right to vote in this country), who ought be remembered.
To that end, the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition is proud to release a Call for Entries for artists, architects, fashion designers, students, and members of the public to submit design proposals for what is hoped will be a “destination” piece of public art that can inspire visitors to contemplate a future when America will again become a more equitable society. The Coalition is seeking entries that abstractly or representationally honor workers, labor unionists, health and safety advocates, immigrants and women, reminding viewers that activism moves society forward, and that people are more important than profits. New York University, owner of the Brown (Asch) Building, has agreed to install the selected design on the exterior of the actual building in which the fire occurred. A jury of distinguished professionals will review all submissions in a two-phase process. The winning artistic rendering will memorialize the event and its victims, and educate as well as speak to what citizens can accomplish when they band together in common cause.
See www.rememberthetrianglefire.org for more information about the Triangle fire and the memorial design open competition.

+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Pushing People into a Really Bad System Will End Really Badly

President Trump's executive order fuses drug use and homelessness, ignoring that homelessness can cause or exacerbate substance use because people use drugs to cope with pain. Forced institutional settings rather than housing will not help the ill or unhoused.

Chicago Resistance Speaks: ‘Until All Are Free, None Are Free’

An uprising is growing as the government tries to impose a dictatorship. Chicago resistance leaders recently offered their thoughts in public remarks made at demonstrations and press conferences.

Los Angeles Continues to Rebuild and Resist

Angelinos, suffering from the profit over people economy, continue to rebuild after the fires and to protest immigration raids, while also experiencing joy in such difficult times.

Chicago Teachers Union Says: Trump, Stay Out of Our City

Chicago Teachers Union rejects any unlawful federal occupation of their city, while welcoming federal leadership that fully funds public education, restores SNAP, and expands Medicaid to healthcare for all.

Journalist Says Why ‘I Can No Longer Work With Reuters’

A photojournalist says why it is impossible for her to maintain a relationship with Reuters "given its role in justifying and enabling the systematic assassination of 245 journalists in Gaza."

More from the People's Tribune