Holocaust Memorial in Ústí nad Labem

Reminding us of the monstrosity of the crime that the Holocaust undoubtedly was will always be relevant, as it serves as a memento warning against immeasurable evil. The very idea of resisting the evil that seeks destruction and ruin is the seed of the overall concept of the memorial. The Star of David buried in the ground, seemingly cast down and toppled by some destructive force, remains readable and solid. This symbolizes the enormous assault on the Jewish people that the Holocaust surely was. Nevertheless, many survived just like their symbol. From another perspective, one can perceive the object as something emerging from the ground, where it has been buried for years under layers of oppression and forgetfulness. Again, it is indestructible and can emerge as if from anywhere the Jews were forced to seek refuge. Therefore, the memorial has no pedestal, it is not finished, which evokes the possibility of further emergence from the earth. At the same time, the very absence of a pedestal allows the entire sculpture to be perceived as a humble, non-pathetic statement. This is also related to the position of the object in a balanced position among beautiful trees, as if randomly placed in the lawn, away from the usual path. The star is not whole; it is submerged, but nevertheless, it is not a fragment; it has not been destroyed into a fragment, it has "survived" in its entire symbolism. But it is also not merely a superficial aggressive symbol, and its position and visible shape invite contemplation about what this composition is meant to convey. This is the main meaning of the entire concept.