This Friday the Tribute in Light will illuminate the skies over Lower Manhattan for the eighth year to commemorate the attacks on the World Trade Center. The Tribute in Light honors those who were lost on September 11, as well as those who worked so hard to get our city through its greatest trial.

The idea for the lights was independently conceived by several artists and designers, who were brought together under the auspices of the Municipal Art Society and Creative Time. The Tribute in Light is now produced annually by the MAS on the September 11th anniversary. It was designed by John Bennett, Gustavo Bonevardi, Richard Nash Gould, Julian Laverdiere, Paul Myoda and lighting designer Paul Marantz. Tribute in Light is made possible by a grant from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and with the generous assistance of Con Edison.

MAS members at the Contributing level and higher (including MAS Urbanists) are invited to join MAS staff and board members atop the downtown rooftop that houses the great battery of lights. Architectural historian Francis Morrone will speak briefly about the history of using illumination as commemoration in New York City. Reservations are required. Contact Maia Mordana on 212-935-3960 for more information. Not a Contributing member? Become one today.

If you plan to take pictures of this year’s illumination, you should share them with MAS and other New Yorkers in our Tribute in Light Flickr pool.