Material Culture at Ground Zero

Over the weekend, National Public Radio's The Picture Show blog featured a photo essay by photographer and National Geographic contributor Ira Block. The essay showcased found objects from Ground Zero: "a necklace, a note, a shoe: personal items that belonged to those who perished." The objects will be part of an exhibit at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

The brief interview with Block included on the website suggests that he, a trained archeologist, struggled to extract himself from the powerful emotional stories surrounding each of the objects he photographed. Given our discussion in the last class about the difference between story and history, I was struck by Block's comments.

As for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum: according to the museum website, the exhibit will be composed of photos and text, mementos (objects), and oral remembrances -- all contributed by individuals -- as a means by which "to learn about the men, women, and children who died" on 9/11. Here's a brief description: 

. . . interactive tables will allow visitors to discover additional information about each person, including additional photographs, remembrances by family and friends, artifacts, and the location of individual names on the Memorial plaza. Rotating selections of personal artifacts will also be featured. An adjoining chamber will present profiles of individual victims in a dignified sequence through photographs, biographical information, and audio recordings.

Sounds like the exhibit will be somewhat similar (at least in form) to the First Person Museum.