Hurricane Sandy: Joe Doucet's Fathom Mirror Sends a Message That the Tragedy Not Over Yet, Many Homeless And Business Closed [VIDEO]

By Staff Reporter | Jun 02, 2013 09:40 PM EDT

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A Brooklyn-based designer named Joe Doucet created a "Fathom Mirror" to commemorate Hurricane Sandy's victims and awake the general public that people are still suffering from the effects of the tragedy—many are homeless and businesses are still closed.

The artwork is part of a continual project, in which Doucet creates gentle reminders of tragic events every day. The Fathom Mirror creates an illusion—that the bystander is neck-deep in water.

Utilizing a tinted blue bottom half, the half-circular mirror distorts the image slightly so that it imitates the refraction capabilities of water just right. The mirrors which are made of polished acrylic, and the bottom mirror was remade with several prototypes, as the refraction capabilities of water needed to be matched perfectly.

"I have been quite surprised by the response to the mirror. The effect one gets from looking at the mirror seems to overpower the message, which is a delight for me. I tend not to be attracted to concepts which are overpowering.

"It struck me how quickly people forget tragic events. I wanted to create a project which gently reminded one on a daily basis. Imagining yourself in a situation where you were inundated in neck-deep water seemed to be what was in order," commented Doucet.

In reality, signs of devastation remain in the shores of New Jersey.

Barack Obama said in an event on Memorial Day weekend, "Now, we all understand there's still a lot of work to be done. There are homes to rebuild. There are businesses to reopen."

He repeated the New Jersey marketing campaign: "You are stronger than the storm."

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