Located in Berlin, capital of the Nazi regime, The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (also known as the Holocaust Memorial), consists of 2,711 concrete slabs arranged in a grid pattern on a sloping field. It was designed by architect Peter Eisenman and artist Richard Serra, both Jews. Dedicated in 2005, the memorial has been the focus of a number of controversies (see the Wikipedia entry linked below).
Quote: “Eisenman’s use of individually placed slabs (pl. stelae) on a sloping surface of the memorial site creates an illusion of waves when it’s observed from above. The use of stone slabs (Lat. stele), has been recorded throughout history as a way to honor those who have passed. Although typically, ancient slabs would contain the name of those who have departed, Eisenman decided against the inscription. Not only do the slabs not contain any names or symbols, but the entirety of the memorial site is entirely devoid of any symbols, panels or signs. Many have collated the shape and appearance of the stones to those of gravestones.”
Sources: Wikipedia, worldatlas.com
Learn more about the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe on Wikipedia. >>
Watch “Architecture of the Memorial to the Mudered Jews of Europe” [4:51]. >>
Watch “Peter Eisenman Interview: Field of Otherness” [9:26]. >>
Waych “Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe | A Walk Through in 4G” [7:01]. >>
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