Reaction paper - Assignment Example

Ghosts of the past: The Field of Stelae There were no pictures, s, symbols, markers or anything that spoke of Holocaust when I saw the video of Peter Eisenmann; nevertheless, I was deeply moved. For the first time, it is surprising to realize that objects which are visually plain can evoke so much emotion. The Field of Stelae seems like endless blocks of tombstones that never revealed its owner. Actually, the structures are polished, clean yet disorderly in terms of appearance to disorient visitors.

It seems that the ones who give it meaning are those who visit it, depending on the cultural perspective of the visitor. The black blocks generally connote a sense of hopelessness, loss or even grief while the uneven size represents uniqueness. I could just visualize how lonely it looks in winter as the victims of Holocaust fought for dear life. I carry on with me such interpretation because I have seen the film “Schindler’s List” that showed that dark age in modern history. The Field of Stelae accomplished its purpose by presenting something simple yet provocative.

Undoubtedly, Peter Eisenman is a genius for he has successfully conveyed all the horrors of the Holocaust using uneven structures. The memorial is hauntingly beautiful that it never fails to attract tourists. Although it is a scar from humanity’s wound, Germany is very humble to devote much time and resources in building the memorial. Imagine the space that could have been used for commercial projects! This just shows how Germany prioritizes art and history in lieu of commercialism. The video is truly remarkable for it has encapsulated the grace, form and significance of the memorial.