Client

Overview

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts issued a national request for proposals for an exterior, site-specific art commission to be located at the Steve Schiff District Attorney Building in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The purpose of this commission was to create a non-traditional memorial that would provide a contemplative, healing, and uplifting space for victims and families dealing with the trauma of gun violence. After review from the Local Selection Committee, Gordon Huether’s concept, Luminaria, was chosen for its ability to convey the ideas of humanity, comfort, serenity, joy, and love.

Luminaria was ultimately inspired by three factors: cultural traditions from the local Hispanic community, the surrounding natural landscape, and a reoccurring theme Gordon found while researching memorials that reference gun violence or other violent tragedies – something Gordon refers to as “pop-up memorials”. “Pop-up memorials” are memorials created by the public at the scene of a tragedy. The affected community congregates and places things at the scene of the tragedy such as flowers, candles, teddy bears, flags, balloons, drawings, and personal messages. These items were all themes that influenced Gordon’s design for this memorial to victims of gun violence.

Goals

The purpose of this commission was to create a non-traditional memorial that would provide a contemplative, healing, and uplifting space for victims and families dealing with the trauma of gun violence.