The Holocaust Memorial is a must when in Berlin. There's something ingenious yet so simple about this site. Unlike other memorial sites, The Holocaust Memorial, officially named the Monument to the Murdered Jews in Europe, can be visited at anytime - day or night and conjures different emotions at the different times as well.
U.S. architect Peter Eisenman's controversial design was chosen as a fitting tribute to the Jews that died before and during World War II - as part of Hitler's plan to exterminate them. The ingeniously conceptualised space consists of 205,000 sqft (19,000 sqm) of space filled with 2,711 grey stone slabs that bear no markings, names or dates, on a sloping stretch of land.
The unadorned slabs which are individually unique in shape and size undulate in a wave-like pattern, creating a maze-like space. Some slabs are only ankle high while others tower well over visitors, all adding to the visual, emotive and conflicting reactions that the architect hoped to instill. The pathways between the individual slabs undulate as well - further emphasising Eisenman's intention of creating a feeling
of groundlessness and instability; a sense of disorientation and surrealism.
And since the rest of Berlin is littered in grafitti covered surfaces (some of which are really stunning), special treatment was applied to the entire Holocaust Memorial so that the "shrines" cannot be marked on.
Critics protest that the Memorial is way too abstract and does not present historical information at all. Other people argue that the Memorial resembles a vast field of nameless tombstones and captures the horror of the Nazi death camps, exactly.
What's your view?
This is mine: Contemplative. Personal. An experience.
I'm including a Youtube vid that shows the different day and night experiences - a must, if you have the time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX8kivBbaB0&feature=related
U.S. architect Peter Eisenman's controversial design was chosen as a fitting tribute to the Jews that died before and during World War II - as part of Hitler's plan to exterminate them. The ingeniously conceptualised space consists of 205,000 sqft (19,000 sqm) of space filled with 2,711 grey stone slabs that bear no markings, names or dates, on a sloping stretch of land.
The unadorned slabs which are individually unique in shape and size undulate in a wave-like pattern, creating a maze-like space. Some slabs are only ankle high while others tower well over visitors, all adding to the visual, emotive and conflicting reactions that the architect hoped to instill. The pathways between the individual slabs undulate as well - further emphasising Eisenman's intention of creating a feeling
of groundlessness and instability; a sense of disorientation and surrealism.And since the rest of Berlin is littered in grafitti covered surfaces (some of which are really stunning), special treatment was applied to the entire Holocaust Memorial so that the "shrines" cannot be marked on.
Critics protest that the Memorial is way too abstract and does not present historical information at all. Other people argue that the Memorial resembles a vast field of nameless tombstones and captures the horror of the Nazi death camps, exactly.
What's your view?
This is mine: Contemplative. Personal. An experience.
I'm including a Youtube vid that shows the different day and night experiences - a must, if you have the time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX8kivBbaB0&feature=related
