ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

17 Years After 9/11: Artworks That Remember

other · 2026-05-04

On the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Artribune compiles a list of iconic artworks created over the past 17 years that respond to the tragedy. The selection includes Gerhard Richter's abstract series from 2005, based on a photograph of the first tower collapsing, which he then distorts to declare the impossibility of narrative. Steve McCurry's direct photojournalism contrasts with Thomas Ruff's 'jpegs' series, which manipulates internet-sourced images. Two Italian artists, Gabriele Di Matteo and Cesare Viel, appropriate and rework newspaper photographs: Di Matteo through painted reproductions of news fragments, and Viel by hand-drawing them, adding quotes from writers like Susan Sontag, Virginia Woolf, and Emily Dickinson. Viel focuses on the iconic image of the falling man. The article also promotes Artribune's newsletters: 'Incanti' on the art market, 'Render' on urban regeneration, and 'PAX' on cultural tourism.

Key facts

  • The article was published on September 11, 2018, marking 17 years since the 9/11 attacks.
  • Gerhard Richter created an abstract series in 2005 based on a photograph of the first tower collapsing.
  • Steve McCurry's realistic photographs are included alongside Thomas Ruff's manipulated internet images.
  • Gabriele Di Matteo paints reproductions of newspaper fragments.
  • Cesare Viel hand-draws newspaper photographs and adds quotes from Susan Sontag, Virginia Woolf, and Emily Dickinson.
  • Viel focuses on the famous image of a man falling from the World Trade Center.
  • The article promotes three Artribune newsletters: Incanti, Render, and PAX.
  • Pino Pascali died on September 11, 2001, 50 years ago from the article's date.

Entities

Artists

  • Gerhard Richter
  • Steve McCurry
  • Thomas Ruff
  • Gabriele Di Matteo
  • Cesare Viel
  • Pino Pascali
  • Susan Sontag
  • Virginia Woolf
  • Emily Dickinson

Institutions

  • Artribune

Locations

  • New York
  • United States
  • World Trade Center
  • Turin
  • Italy

Sources