A new sculpture at Allen Premium Outlets honors the eight people who lost their lives last year in a very sad event in the history of the City of Allen.
On May 6, 2023, a lone gunman opened fire on shoppers and mall workers, killing eight and injuring seven others before being killed by a brave police officer. Compared to the pain and confusion of that day, the 11-foot tall, curved steel monument located at the northwest corner of the shopping center creates a feeling of calm and peacefulness.
The sculpture, surrounded by a raised garden bed with seasonal plants, was created by renowned artist Matthew Placzek, who aimed to make a place of “peaceful remembrance” for the victims of the mass shooting, as he explained to The Dallas Express. Nearby, there is a seating area where visitors can relax and think.
Placzek wanted the sculpture to not just be a “piece of cold steel.” All the work on the art installation, including the enamel coating, was done by hand to show the warmth of the human touch, Placzek clarified.
Placzek imagined the piece as an “open vessel” with a spiral shape to convey the idea of motion. The piece ends with eight wind chimes at the top, representing each of the lives lost on the day of the shooting.
Placzek shared that this particular sculpture was “an emotional piece” for him because it was “such an important piece to remember the lives lost. I was deeply honored that I was chosen to work on it. We wanted to get it right.”
A small sign near the sculpture says, “Always Remembered. May 6, 2023.” The sign will eventually be replaced with a bronze plaque, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Placzek hopes that each time a gentle breeze blows, bringing the wind chimes to life, those nearby will remember the eight persons whose lives were lost that day: Christian LaCour, a security guard at the shopping center; Aishwarya Thatikonda, an engineer; Cindy and Kyu Cho and their 3-year-old son James; elementary school students and sisters Daniela and Sofia Mendoza; and Elio Cumana-Rivas, a Venezuelan national.
