On September 11, 2001, debris from the collapsing Twin Towers pierced the nearby Cortlandt Street subway station of the Metropolitan Transit Authorty’s number 1 line, pushing rubble into the underground tunnel and destabilizing its infrastructure. The severity of damage required the station’s emergency closure. It remained shut for nearly 17 years until, on September 8, 2018, public access to the downtown station was finally restored.

This maquette represents the design idea for Link, by Sandra Bloodworth, Director, MTA Arts & Design. During internal MTA discussions about possible artwork for the rebuilt Cortlandt Street subway station, Bloodworth's idea was presented as an example of what art for the site could be. At the request of the MTA, the concept was further developed. The final artwork commissioned for the station was ultimately awarded to Anne Hamilton for her designed titled CHORUS.