Ground Zero 360
Special thank you to U2Songs for their support and partnership on this day which included seeing works by Guggi, Bono, The Edge and many other incredible artists in support of Ground Zero 360.
Please visit u2songs | Ground Zero 360 Remembrance: An Advance Look | for an in-depth view to these works.
“Breached” by Guggi
It all started with a photograph.
I came across an advertisement featuring U2 guitarist The Edge, promoting his artistic contribution to the Ground Zero 360 Remembrance exhibition in New York City. The image immediately caught my attention, and naturally, I wanted to learn more. As I dug deeper, I discovered that U2 frontman Bono, along with The Edge’s longtime friend and collaborator Guggi, would also be contributing artwork to the exhibition.
For me, this was more than just another U2 related event. As a longtime U2 fan as well as a born and raised New Yorker, the exhibition brought together two important aspects of my life. The opportunity to experience and document the work of these artists in New York City felt like something I simply could not pass up.
I knew I wanted to be there, not just as a fan, but as a photographer and storyteller.
That’s when I reached out to Aaron at U2Songs.com, hoping he might be able to assist me in gaining access to the exhibition. His help ultimately opened the door to an experience that I was both honored and excited to capture.
Meeting Guggi was a privilege I won’t soon forget. I had heard his name mentioned at countless U2 shows and was familiar with parts of his long history and friendship with the band but meeting him in person was something entirely different.
What made the experience even more special was being given a personal tour of both Bono’s and The Edge’s contributions to the exhibition. It was an unexpected and genuinely memorable opportunity to see the works up close and hear the stories behind them from someone who was directly involved.
“The Hands That Built America” - Bono / Guggi
I was particularly fascinated by Guggi’s story about the piece The Hands That Built America, credited to Bono. He walked me through the process of recreating, in paint, the section of the aircraft that struck the tower. He then added his own masterful brushstrokes to the canvas, creating the backdrop for Bono’s handwritten lyrics.
An unknown tidbit about this exhibit, although the piece is credited to Bono, Guggi was asked to sign the artwork as well, his signature next to Bono’s on the finished piece.
Hearing Guggi tell the story while standing in front of the artwork gave the piece an entirely different dimension. It was no longer simply something I was photographing; I was hearing the history, intention, and personal connection behind it directly from the artist who helped bring it to life.
“What’s Up NYC?” - The Edge