Berlin walks a tightrope. It's a delicate balance. How do you remember and acknowledge your history, while not allowing the Nazi legacy to overshadow and obliterate everything Berlin has overcome AND become?
How do you honor the 6 million Jewish victims of the Nazi Holocaust? You hire an American in Paris Berlin to design the "Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe". Aka, Berlin's Holocaust Memorial. 2,711 concrete slabs on a sloping 4.7 acres in the heart of the city. Mere footsteps from Hitler's bunker.
"Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (at dusk)"
Berlin, Germany
No plaques. No Inscriptions. No religious symbols. It's strength is in its mass of anonymity. All of whom suffered the same fate.
"Anonymity"
Berlin, Germany
The varying heights of the slabs coupled with their placement on a slope creates an undulating, uneasy, lost and confusing atmosphere. To walk the labyrinth of pathways between the massive stone slabs (varying in height from 8" to almost 16') results in disorientation. I'm sure that was the point. An ordered system that has lost touch with human reason.
"Confusion"
Berlin, Germany
"Undulating"
Berlin, Germany
Some believe the design resembles a vast field of nameless tombstones. It's quiet. Eerily quiet.
"Unexplainable"
Berlin, Germany
Others believe the design is too abstract. It's quiet. Eerily quiet.
In my opinion, there is a brilliance to the idea that the design is as unexplainable as the Holocaust itself. Kinda the perfect way to walk that tightrope Berlin.
Here's where I "link up" today.
(click on image for description of Song-ography)
Next Tuesday's Song-ography title suggestion is "Give a Little Bit" by Roger Hodgson
Come back and link up!