Wall of Silence (study)

 

Wall of Silence (study)

East German military shoulder boards, latex and silver leaf on board

 

 

 

Wall of Silence (detail)

 

A study for what will hopefully be a bigger piece to commemorate the 136 people who died trying to cross the Berlin Wall. The title refers to the fact the majority of the deaths weren't investigated although in some cases the East German policemen/military involved were charged with murder.

The DDR shoulder boards are the perfect shape for gravestones. I may develop the idea of the crosses on the graves into symbols highlighting the different ways the people died such as being shot or drowning. It's a sensitive issue as there were several children amongst the victims.

I have in mind something to commemorate the first and last deaths which were both linked to their victims falling from heights but in quite different circumstances.