2,977 Drones Recreate Twin Towers on 9/11 Anniversary

New York’s Twin Towers were recreated at full architectural scale using 2,977 illuminated drones to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Titled “2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor,” the installation took place on September 9, with each drone representing one of the 2,977 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The drones assembled over New York Harbor to form the outline of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, creating a large-scale memorial visible across the city.

The project was developed in collaboration with 9/11 families, survivors and emergency responders, with creative director Addison Mehr leading the artistic direction.

Design studio Drift, formerly Studio Drift, served as an adviser alongside architects Shigeru Ban and Dean Maltz.

The studio described the installation as “one of the most important remembrances of our lifetime” and highlighted the use of technology as a new tool for remembrance.

“We could not think of a more impactful use of technology as it is now more important than ever to create the best possible future by using the new tools of our time to never forget the past,” Drift said.

2,977 lights honour those who died

The installation was illuminated twice, with each display lasting approximately 15 minutes.

After assembling in the air, the drones hovered over the harbour for several minutes before their lights went out and they returned to their landing positions.

The project was designed to complement New York’s annual Tribute in Light, which projects two powerful beams of light into the sky from the site of the former World Trade Center.

Organisers also consulted representatives of 9/11 families, survivors and emergency responders during the design process.

New York City Fire Department responder and artist Brenda Berkman said the installation demonstrated how art can help preserve collective memory.

“Like the landscape of New York City, memory and understanding of history are also shaped by and reflect constant change,” Berkman said.

“But art can help convey information, feelings and understanding of past events from one generation to the next.”

Drone formation references unbuilt World Trade Center designs

The installation also incorporated references to alternative architectural proposals developed following the destruction of the World Trade Center.

According to the project team, the helix formation created as the drones assembled represented the unbuilt World Cultural Centre master plan proposed by architect Rafael Viñoly.

The project combined architecture, technology and remembrance to recreate an iconic part of New York’s skyline while commemorating the thousands of lives lost on September 11.

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