When traveling, one of my favorite things to do is to visit museums that house the work of artists from the specific countries that we are visiting. This is no easy task when on the go with my husband, aka Terrific Tax Attorney (TTA). TTA goes into these experiences looking as if he has swallowed a lemon whole. He breezes through each room to find the nearest bench so that he may sit and wait for me to finally finish looking at the work. As you can imagine, I move through what is shown in a more frantic manner. He looks so miserable that I don't want to torture him longer than necessary. All that said, TTA joined me as we visited three museums during our last trip to Europe. He can be a good sport, and he even liked two of the three art venues. Let's keep it a secret that the work that inspired and moved me the most wasn't housed in the walls of the venerable museums, but in other places instead. Being immersed in the culture and history of the places that we visited inspired me in ways that I am sure will manifest in my art in the future, even if I don't know how that inspiration will show itself. Without further discussion, here are some examples of the most inspiring art that I saw: These are Stumbling Stones or Stolpersteine. They are brass plaques on the ground outside of the last homes of choice of people who were deported and killed during the Holocaust. There are 70,000 Stumbling Stones throughout Europe to commemorate those who were murdered. The artist who first conceived of the idea of focusing on tragedies of individuals in this way is Gunter Demnig. He is still working on the art project that keeps him on the road for 300 days per year. I am so inspired by the dedication that it takes to continue with this meaningful art installation. While visiting Regensburg, Germany, we were surprised to see Hebrew embedded in architectural structures. I know this is not a piece of art, but I am moved just the same. An aspect of what is going on here may find its way into my work some day. Why is Hebrew text on this building in such a haphazard way? When the Jewish people were expelled from Regensburg in 1519 about 5,000 tombstones in the Jewish cemetery were raised and used for building material. This is a poignant example of that practice. This is perhaps one of the most moving sculptures I have ever seen. Along the beautiful Danube River in Budapest, Hungary is a sculpture of sixty pairs of shoes cast out of iron. They were made by film director, Can Togay and sculptor, Gyula Pauer. Approximately 20,000 Jews were shot along the banks of the Danube River by members of the Arrow Cross Party. The Arrow Cross Party was a fascist, anti-semitic organization founded by Ferenc Szalasi after Hitler overthrew the leader of the Hungarian government in 1944. The victims were marched to the river, asked to remove their shoes, and were summarily shot. The shoes depicted are of all different styles and sizes; women's, men's, and children's shoes. No one was spared. In the photos you will see that visitors placed stones inside and around the shoes. This is a Jewish tradition. Stones are placed at graves, not flowers. Yahrzeit candles were left as well. Yahrzeit candles are traditionally lit to remember a loved one who has passed on the anniversary of their death. You can see all the stones in and around the shoes, and what looks like little tin cups. Those cups are the yahrzeit candles. Also while in Budapest, Hungary, we visited the Great Synagogue. This synagogue is the second largest synagogue in the world and it is a stunner.
In the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park, behind the synagogue, is an enormous sculpture of the Emanuel (or Tree of Life) Tree. The sculpture was designed by Imre Varga and funded by the late actor Tony Curtis to honor his Hungarian-born father Emanuel Schwartz. The names of 30,000 victims of the Holocaust are inscribed on the leaves of the tree. This piece of art is stunningly beautiful. I hope that you have enjoyed seeing the pieces of art that inspired me the most during our trip. Obviously, the pieces that I selected were sad reminders of a not-too-distant past. I was moved by how exquisite they were, and also by their pathos. Do you have a favorite? I'd love to know what you think. Please share in the comments below.
11 Comments
Debbie Graziani
8/12/2019 11:02:57 am
Hi Lynn!! Thank you for sharing these inspiring and unique works of art from Europe. As you know, I am not artistic in any way, but I love art and appreciate it, and am in awe of people who create it, like YOU!! l especially love the Tree of Life. To me it represents HOPE, something that was desperately needed and longed for during the years of the horrific Holocaust....and NOW. Hugs to you. 💜
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8/12/2019 12:40:30 pm
Hi Debbie, Thank YOU for taking time to look at what I have shown and written. I truly appreciate it. The Tree of Life was stunning. You can see it from behind a fence from the street, and it sparkles in the sunlight. Then, when seeing it up close it provides an even more imposing and impressive sight. I would like to experience seeing it at all times of year and in divergent weather conditions as I am sure that it would provide a totally different experience. Hugs right back at ya!
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8/13/2019 07:14:37 pm
Aww, thanks so much. It was great to see all of this and I was happy to share it.
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8/13/2019 12:02:31 pm
I completely understand why the art you saw outside the museums moved you so much. I am blown away by the sculpture of shoes. What a powerful message. I also am very glad for the Stumbling Stones. I am so glad you shared this information with us. Take good care.
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8/13/2019 07:17:08 pm
Thanks so much for taking the time to read, look at this, and to write to me. I had never heard of the Stumbling Stones, and was amazed at the creativity and the dedication to the project. The people included were not only Jewish people either. A great tribute. I had seen pictures of the shoe sculpture and couldn't wait to see it in person. I hope all is well with you and your return stateside has been a good one!!
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Miriam Fisher
8/13/2019 12:05:13 pm
Lynn, thank you for sharing these inspiring works found in your travels..
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8/13/2019 07:19:08 pm
Thanks for taking a look! You painting is going to be photographed by a professional photographer on Monday, and then it will be ready for you! : )
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Ellie
8/13/2019 01:24:49 pm
In 1980, I attended an International Music Educators conference in Warsaw. Part of the trip included stops in other parts of Poland, as well as in Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, East and West Berlin and Budapest. We mainly visited Hungary because as music educators we were interested in knowing about Kodaly, who developed a method of teaching music to children. We were in Budapest for only a short time, so I did not see the shoes or stones, or perhaps they were not yet there. However, I did go with a small group to Auschwitz, where we saw the piles of shoes. When the Holocaust Museum opened in Washington and I visited, I was astonished at how realistically the shoes and other items from Auschwitz were displayed. So, I guess I am most moved by your photos of shoes in Budapest, as well as the stones. I know I have told you how much I enjoy getting your emails and blogs. Thanks again for the effort you go to in sharing so many interesting things.
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8/13/2019 07:22:45 pm
Thank YOU for taking the time to share your experiences while visiting Europe in 1980. You are right, the shoe sculpture and the Stumbling Stones were not installed when you were there. I have not visited Auschwitz, but I was moved to tears when I saw the shoes at the Holocaust Museum. It is interesting how an inanimate object or objects can provoke such strong emotions. Thank you for the compliment on my emails and blogposts. I truly appreciate it. I hope that you are doing better.
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8/13/2019 07:18:05 pm
Thanks for taking a look! You painting is going to be photographed by a professional photographer on Monday, and then it will be ready for you! : )
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