Internationally Renowned Sculptor to Design Tribute to Holocaust Memorial Day
Sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor was welcomed by the chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, he is to help take part in the upcoming anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27 1945.
Sir Anish will construct 70 candles for the 70 past years since the historical event, at 20 cm their wicks will have three wax walls and a ceiling to allow the flame to be visible from the front.
Distributed at 70 events across the UK from Stornoway to Bristol, the candles will form a link between the places where remembrances are held in a poignant bond. Some locations hold historical importance, Lowestoft Railway Station for example was where 200 Kindertransport refugees arrived in December 1938.
Sir Anish, who is also Jewish, explained he was happy to contribute to this project, “It is hard sometimes to memorialise the suffering (in the Holocaust). That’s why I think the candle is appropriate. The candle is a curious space, but it has a narrative and I hope I have captured it.”
“It is very important to remember the terrible things we do to human beings like murdering six million Jews in the Holocaust,” he told the newspaper.
Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Trust, said, “We’re delighted that Sir Anish has designed these stunning candles.
“Of 2,500 events taking place across the country to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in January 2015, 70 have been chosen to be symbolically linked by these specially-designed candles.
“These 70 candles will represent the 70 years which have passed since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.
“Each of the local Holocaust Memorial Day event organisers receiving one of Sir Anish’s beautiful candles will be honoured to be participating in this fitting act of remembrance on January 27.”
The sculptor’s noted work includes ArcelorMittal Orbit, an observation tower built in Stratford’s Olympic Park for London 2012. He was also behind the Chicago’s mirrored, legume-shaped Cloud Gate known as the Bean.
He received the prestigious Turner Prize in 1991 from the Tate and was knighted in the 2013 Birthday Honours list for his services to visual arts.
