Overview
Designed by Architect Segunda Cardona, the Hurricane Maria Memorial is an ascending glass spiral, evocative of a hurricane as well as a shell, which is a symbol of protection for living organisms against a hostile environment such as extreme weather. The Memorial enfolds and projects beans of bright blue, red, and orange sunlight on visitors. The spiral is topped off by the upward rotating star of the Puerto Rican flag, depicting hope rising from the devastation. The glass panels, painted by artist Antonio Martorell, include the poem “Farewell from Welfare Island” by one of Puerto Rico's most beloved poets, Julia de Burgos. The poem, telling of the resiliency of the Puerto Rican people, was written by de Burgos when she was living in New York City and is the only work she ever wrote in English. Together, the piece grows from the site, organically merging art, architecture and literature.
