2700 Stone Blocks in the Middle of Berlin
By Gabi. Filed in General |
The Holocaust Mahnmal near the future American Embassy and around the corner from the Brandenburger Gate consists of over 2700 big dark gray stone blocks. It is there to help the German and Jewish people reconcile their relationships. It is there as a reminder of the millions who died in a sad chapter of German history. It is a hope for the future, that this would never occur again. (Forget that idea, just look at Africa.)
While viewing this immense monument for the first time and then pacing through the walks between the stones (Stelens), one gets the feeling of what it must have been like not to be able to see out, going deeper and deeper into an abyss. Upon exit out of the dark checkered board, one felt a relief, as if one was coming to life again, probably similar to all the people who were in concentration and work camps during that era.
When we came upon the light again, we saw a television team, interviewing a gentleman, sitting upon these Stelens. He turned out to be Peter Eisenmann, the architect of this monument. We sat next to him during the interview, where he was trying to describe how he saw this monument being used or not being used. He actually had no concrete ideas but hoped it would be a part of the Berliners, where they could come and use it, as they felt fit. Mr. Eisenmann actually said he would not object to graffiti being put on it or even skateboarders using it as a challenge. He felt the German people needed to figure out what place it would have in their city. As far as graffiti is concerned, the chances are almost nill, since the stones are painted with an anti-graffiti paint, that is supposed to last 10 years. As far as the skateboarders go, they would have to have a death wish, because crashes could only be deadly.
Eisenmann, a Jewish American himself, had not lived through the Holocaust. I wonder what a person would have said who had lived through the Holocaust. Maybe a little more respect would be in order. I guess building monuments is also only a business. His next project is in Warsaw.
Monday, June 27th 2005 at 5:40 pm |
When I was in Berlin, they were just beginning to construct it. Will be interesting to see the final product…
Wednesday, June 29th 2005 at 6:04 am |
yeah, momma´s got to get her pictures on here!