Oded Ravek | Interview | Art Glass MEMORIAL LIGHT Part II
Thoughts about Creating the Artwork.
I created the MEMORIAL LIGHT sculpture to represent the pain and the horrors of the Holocaust. To inspire the viewer to think of what happened to so many, and to remember. To me, the most important element of the Art Glass MEMORIAL LIGHT are the flames. I carried the theme of flames from the Art Glass Tile ZACHOR (REMEMBER), and the flames then flow to the black Art Glass Tiles toward the six Art Glass Panels and upward to each of the six candleholders that are shaped and created with Art Glass flames. To me, each flame symbolizes the pain and suffering, the anguish and the helplessness of the six million. From flames of crimson and vermilion, amber and golds, the flames turn into transparent and iridescent glass that symbolize, to me, the purity of the souls of the victims ascending to heaven.
When I think of the Nazi slave labour camps and the extermination camps, the image of barbed wire comes immediately to mind. A potent symbol, barbed wire, together with flames, evoke the absolute horror of The Holocaust. Intertwined and mingled amongst the flames, the barbed wire that I shaped by hand with stainless steel and embedded amongst the flames of glass, represents, in my mind, the fate that so many met by the Nazi ‘machinery’ and the implementation of the final solution.
Although subtle, the fragments and particles of minute black Art Glass in the word ZACHOR, in the Art Glass Tiles of black flames, and at the base of the Art Glass Panels symbolize the ashes of millions of innocents.
The Art Glass Panel on the far left is the only one that I created with three streaks of flowing blue glass to represent HOPE. It is my hope that although a somber piece of art, there is a glimmer of hope within each of us. This small and subtle but important detail is a true gift. A gift of life that was given to me and to my sister, Dorit, by my precious parents… the feeling that life is filled with hope and optimism and joy, and is to be savoured.
4 Comments
Maureen
Have just finished reading parts l and ll of the Art Glass Memorial Light interview. First, you must feel beyond proud to have been asked to create such a commemorative piece of art. Second, your thought process utilized to capture the unspeakable horror that over 6 million Jews suffered is profound. And third, your talent in finally capturing and creating the Art Glass Memorial Light will speak for itself when it is lit. It should be everyone’s HOPE that the abhorrent misery that we as humans have, and continue to inflict on others shall one day forever cease.
30 Apr 2011 12:04 am (@Twitter)
admin
Maureen, Thank you so much. Your words touched us deeply. We shared your remarks with our family and they were also awed by your beautiful expressive comments. Your words are so true.
The Commemoration Ceremony is this evening, and Oded's artwork will be unveiled and lit by Survivors of the Holocaust. We hope that you will view the Artwork at the SJCC - it is for everyone to see and contemplate. Best regards -
01 May 2011 12:05 pm
Kelly @ JAX does design
This is such a powerful piece – sad and sombre in some ways, bright and hopeful in other ways. It’s obvious that a lot of time, thought, and care was put into each and every detail. A beautiful piece to commemorate a terrible part of history.
03 May 2011 12:05 pm (@@JAXDecor)
admin
We are very touched by your words, Kelly. Thank you for your very thoughtful and beautiful message. It was a very difficult piece to create, a very emotional journey throughout each stage of the creative process, and we shared each new step with Oded's parents through Skype and by sending images by email, so they too were part of this Artwork, in so very many ways.
04 May 2011 08:05 pm
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