The New England Holocaust Memorial - Essay Example

Introduction The New England Holocaust Memorial is one that creates a ment about the events of the Holocaust with a memorial to the millions of Jews that were tortured and killed during this time. The memorial is designed to create an effect that allows individuals to remember the past events that occurred. It is also reflective of helping those who were a part of the Holocaust to have a space to heal and to be remembered from the suffering that has occurred. The effect that is a part of the memorial as well as the way in which it was created for those that were a part of the Holocaust is able to create a different understanding of the Holocaust through the representation of art. Visual Features The New England Holocaust Memorial is located near Congress Street in Boston and by Carmen Park. The memorial is surrounded by buildings of Boston; however, the front area is open with a black granite walk that surrounds the memorial. When walking through the memorial, one will notice a stainless steel grate underneath the main pillars. This grate covers a six foot deep chamber, which is symbolic for the several deaths that were a part of the Holocaust. The wall of each chamber is representative of the six main death camps that were a part of the Holocaust. Each is etched with the names of the death camps. When looking into these chambers, one can see coals as a part of the pit. These light the etchings of the six main death camps. The death chambers that are in the memorial are highlighted by six main pillars, each which is made out of glass. These stand at fifty four feet high and are separated only by small frames from one level to the next. The glass is in a straight, rectangular form and doesn’t contain any alternative or outside shapes. The glass is lit from the bottom to the top to serve as a reflective element of this time frame. The memorial is not focused on the main glass but instead on the detailed etchings that are in place and which are symbolic to the memorial. There are six million numbers that are etched in the six pillars of glass to represent the 6 million Jews that died during World War II. The etchings are also known to be symbolic of the required tattoos that the Jews had to wear during this time frame. Calo and the Memorial The concept that Calo speaks of in terms of memorials is to create a figurative and unambiguous way of honoring those that died in a specific situation. In some instances, this is based on human attributes that were a part of this, such as self – sacrifice or duty that one withholds in a specific instance1. In this specific memorial, the components are symbolic of the suffering that the Jews went through. The death chambers show the suffering and create a sense of morbidity that creates an understanding of the suffering of the Jews. The glass pillars that are illuminated show a symbol of the death of the Jews as well, specifically because of the sacrifice of life that they gave because of their Jewish identity. When one looks at the pillars and the light that they have, than compares it to the death chambers beneath, is an understanding of the two concepts of identity toward Jews in the Holocaust. One was based on the death and morbidity that was a part of the camp. The other is the metaphor of the Jews being a reflective light, similar to the pillars, because of the sacrifices they made during this time. The second way that this monument relates to the concepts of Calo is by stating the unspeakable which is designed to help visitors move through a process of understanding, grief and resolution. According to Calo, going through this process allows one to recognize the significance of history and to mourn and remember what has occurred2. The process that the memorial creates is defined specifically by the description of Calo. The understanding that is a part of the Holocaust is seen through the several etchings that are a part of the pillars, including the six million numbers. The etching of the six main death camps further explains what occurred. The stories and the side details that show the individual elements help to explain the several levels of grief that were a part of the Holocaust. As one is forced to walk through these pillars, the understanding is created through the visual approach. This is followed by grief because of the symbols that show the suffering of the Jews during this time. By the end of the pathway for the memorial, one is able to have a resolution of what occurred, the depths of grief it caused and the determination that this particular event in history should never occur again. The memorial becomes one that is life transforming and which can easily be remembered. The messages that the memorial has on the viewer create an effective response in understanding history and the events that occurred during the Holocaust. The message that is created is one that reminds individuals of the suffering that occurs and which makes a subtle statement that this should never happen again. The impact that this has on the viewer is an understanding and personal relation to the grief and tragedy of the Holocaust as well as how it changed history at several levels. The techniques that are used with the etchings, use of light and other materials further this impact by creating a visual impact that relates to the horrors of World War II. Review of the Memorial There are several who have responded to the New England Memorial with a deeper understanding of the symbolic presentation that is a part of the memorial. The memorial is one of the newer expressions created among memorials and has led many to the questioning of the symbolism that the artist has presented. One of the defining points is not only with the stories and recounted details, but also with the path that uses different lights as a part of the memorial. Many believe that this creates a sense of symbolism toward the events of the time and what was occurring. “[The pillars] evoke an era of incommensurate darkness, an era in history when civilization lost its humanity and humanity its soul…. We must look at these towers of memory and say to ourselves, No one should ever deprive a human being of his or her right to dignity.3” The symbolism and metaphor of the pillars relates to the idea of light as well as the “darkness” that is perceived in history. When looking at the pillars, as well as the areas where there is no light, one can see the metaphorical interpretation of the time in history. The visualization relates directly to the human element and suffering that the Holocaust brought to the Jews who died in the death camps. While the narrative in this particular instance is symbolic, others have stated that the ability to understand the Holocaust is also a prime consideration of the memorial. This has allowed the memorial to build a pedagogical function in which Jews can remember and speak about the events and teach others about this moment in history. However, when looking at the pedagogical effect, are several debates over the significance with this monument in teaching about the Holocaust. There are several known areas that present education on the Holocaust, including memorials from post – war decades and that are directly from the camps. The genres and forms of memorials as well as the idea of commemoration has become one of the most represented parts of history. The question of how effective this particular memorial is, as well as whether it is based on the commercialization of commemoration for the Holocaust is often questioned. The effectiveness of the post – war memorials and the way in which this was approached has divided genres of the memorials which are less abstract in nature. Determining the memory, suffering and despair then become questionable with the different memorials4. The effect, as well as the other Holocaust memorials, then create a questioning of the impact that this memorial has, especially when associated with other memorials. The question that is associated with the different memorials is based on whether it is only to commercialize the idea of the Holocaust or whether it is legitimate to the pedagogy of history in a visual art form. However, others believe that there is still effectiveness with this because of the layers of history. At one level, the basic historical concepts of the death camps and the death of the Jews are noted. However, the personal stories and the interaction at this level create a direct experience that is more personal in nature. As the personal narratives are recounted through the walk of the memorial, one is able to identify on a personal level. The social interaction and context then present different levels of understanding that can work as a main tribute. More importantly, those walking through the memorial are able to create a personal understanding and identity toward the Holocaust and the cultural sense of meaning that is attributed to this time frame5. Context of the Memorial The main features of the New England Holocaust Memorial are able to create levels of impact that many can relate to when looking at the form. The first visual feature is one that is more abstract in form. This works effectively because it causes the individual to question the meaning behind the main memorial and why the pillars are used. The second visual feature is less abstract and is more direct in the suffering from a historical context. The etchings and the steel with the death camp names are direct in describing the suffering and sacrifice of the Jews. However, this suffering is shown at a historical level and not a personal one. At the same time, the pedagogical form is able to provide the viewer with a deeper understanding of what was occurring at this time in history and how it changed the lives of millions. The personal relation with the stories is then able to add onto the effect for a personal understanding and relation to the memorial. While other Holocaust memorials are also able to provide these details, the abstract effect and the combination of symbolism with the direct historical connotations creates the same response from those viewing the memorial. Conclusion The several memorials that are used to display history, suffering and the specific moments throughout time are also effective in creating personal understanding and responses. The New England Holocaust Memorial is able to work on several levels for those viewing the architecture. The historical and personal insights allow one to create a relationship to the historical components of the Holocaust and what occurred. A response from the visual effects, including the understanding of grief and suffering from the Holocaust, creates even more representation of this time period. Even though this piece is abstract in nature, the symbolic and direct relationship creates an understanding and memory of the adverse effects of the Holocaust. Works Cited 1. Calo, Carole. Memorializing the Unspeakable: Public Monuments and Collective Grieving. Viewpoints. 2. Coonerty, Ryan, Carol Highsmith. 2007. Etched in Stone: Enduring Words from Our Nation’s Monuments. New York: National Geographic Books. 3. Edkins, Jenny. 2003. Trauma and the Memory of Politics. UK: Cambridge University Press. 4. Schiff, B, C Noy, B.J. Cohler. 2001. Collected Stories in the Life Narratives of Holocaust Survivors. Narrative Inquiry (11). Read More