“Our project for the Holocaust Memorial in London starts with a Memorial Grove of Cypress trees that leads to the National Monument, an abstracted form in the shape of a vast rock or meteorite. It sits half buried in the site and is to be viewed from an underground Memorial Hall, in which the object hovers above the viewer with a looming presence. Also at this level is the museum exhibition space. Above ground, the memorial itself can be entered through an opening in the form which leads to an inner chamber - in the shape of a perfect sphere. This space is intended as a place of deep contemplation; it is our intention that it should be completely silent.

Meteorites, mountains and stones are often at the centre of places of religion, especially in the Jewish tradition. They call on the vastness of nature to bear witness to our humanity. A memorial to the Holocaust must be contemplative and silent, such that it evokes our empathy. Most importantly of all, it must be a promise to future generations that this terrible chapter in human history can never occur again.” - Anish Kapoor

ABOUT:

https://competitions.malcolmreading.co.uk/holocaustmemorial/shortlist/anish-kapoor-and-zaha-hadid-architects

VIDEO:

https://vimeo.com/200833251

FEEDBACK TO THE GOVERNMENT:

ukhmf@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-holocaust-memorial-design-competition-tell-us-what-you-think