While unearth the history of this city in Germany, one has to mention that the tragedy of the Holocaust was taking amount the people of Berlin. However, the key life essence in calling to attention this blackest part of history is the Holocaust Tower and Void. In this part of the blog, we will look into the importance of these monuments, characteristics of the structures, and the feelings related to them.
The Holocaust Tower:
The Holocaust Tower or the ‘Leerstelle’ as it is referred to in German translates to an empty space is among the significant and somber installations in the Jewish Museum Berlin. It is symbolic of the many lives that were lost during the Holocaust.
The tower is represented as a single building with no interior or windows which is to emphasize hunger and hopelessness of the victims. Opaque and enclosed concrete construction and the exhibit area with low illumination and confined spaces give the visitor a rather uncomfortable feeling and make them think.
Architectural Features:
Holocaust Tower can be contributed to the architect Peter Eisenman, Hunter rigger with Buro Happold. It has a height of 24 meters or 78 feet with walls being 1.9 meters or 6.2 meters thick. It is an iron colored door which can be opened and closed only with a lot of efforts making a creepy sound of an old building.
In addition, absence of natural light and marked difference in temperature inside the tower , which is much lower than outside, makes people feel the cruelties of the victims of holocaust. People make statements that when being in the precise area of the tower, they surely feel that they are alone and can only turn inwards.
The Holocaust Void:
Next to the Holocaust Tower the so called Holocaust Void which stands in front of the “Garten des Exils” or Garden of Exile. Relatively open and friendly for the contrast to the somber black feeling of the tower, this is an outdoor memorial space that encourages the visitors to communicate with the sculpture.
This aspect of The Holocaust Void addresses the concern of the displacement and confusion that the Jewish victims had to endure, during and after the holocaust. There is a rectangular pattern of fifty concrete pillars scattered at various heights, lean angles, and orientations which causes confusion among its visitors.
Symbolism and Interpretation:
The Holocaust Void is a design of an open concept that the viewers can analyze and understand in many ways. The pillars are slanting which symbolizes the unsteadiness of life of those who are forced to be refugees and the gaps show absence of something.
They are invited to move freely throughout the area and get the impression of being lost in the garden while becoming aware of the experiences which people who were killed in the holocaust suffered.
Emotional Impact and Remembrance:
It is important to note that, under the idea of architecture used for Holocaust Tower and Void Project, are installations that are filled with the capability to elicit different feelings.. Consequently, as a visitor in the cold and constricted space of the tower or lost in the garden of the void, they are introduced to concepts of horror and tragedy of Holocaust.
These memorials make a good way of imparting knowledge to people of different ages and of the different age groups. They act as a wakeup call for one to never forget the occurrences of the dark period in the history and get to embrace the noble deserve of accepting everyone regardless of their and get to embrace the noble deserve of accepting everyone regardless of their colour.
Tips for Visitors:
- It is also important to make arrangements in advance in order have an insight of available options before when planning to visit.
- This is why it is important not to litter, not to make any loud noises at the intermediate zone of the site, and so on.
- You should enrol in a guided sightseeing if your purpose is to have an understanding of the historical provision of the memorial.
- Do not underestimate the impact of emotions that may occur during the visit and devote time to reflect on them.
The Holocaust Tower and Void create an important part of the project to commemorate the victims of the holocaust and use them for educating the present and its future generations. Through a visit to these places, it becomes difficult for one to forget what happened and this is how places of memorial plays an important role.
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