Studio Design 36

This scattering is both literal and symbolic, representing the fractured identities, lives, and memories of those who perished and endured the Holocaust. The reflective surface creates a connection across time, linking the present viewer to the past and the enduring legacy of survival, grief, and resilience. Encircled by concentric rings, the site evokes the ripple of a teardrop landing, embodying the profound and ongoing impact of loss and remembrance.

The abstraction of a teardrop at such an extraordinary scale transforms a deeply personal gesture of grief into a profound collective statement. A teardrop, often a fleeting symbol of vulnerability, is magnified here into a monumental form, demanding attention and reflection. This transformation elevates a private expression of sorrow into a shared space of remembrance and mourning, uniting individual emotions with the collective memory of a community and humanity as a whole.

At this scale, the sculpture challenges viewers to engage with the weight of its symbolism, confronting the enormity of the loss it represents. Its abstraction invites a range of interpretations, allowing viewers to connect their personal experiences of grief or resilience to the broader narrative of the Holocaust. 

In doing so, the artwork bridges individual and collective memory, emphasizing that the impact of such tragedies extends beyond the immediate pain into the shared consciousness of future generations. Teardrop becomes not just a symbol of sorrow but also a call to action, a reminder of resilience, and a testament to the power of remembrance.

The rise and demonstration of deep hatred and fierce antisemitism today highlights the urgency of preserving and sharing Holocaust narratives. Teardrop not only honors the memory of those who suffered but also compels viewers to confront and resist the seeds of division and violence in their own communities. In an era of rising misinformation and intolerance, this sculpture stands as a beacon of understanding, compassion, and the resilience of the human spirit. 

It challenges us to reflect on history and ask: How can we ensure the lessons of the past remain alive, and what actions can we take to build a more just and inclusive world?

The plaque at the site reads:

"Teardrop is the moment when your best friend says she can’t see you again because her mother says that you are Jewish. 

Teardrop is the moment when you arrive at your store on Main Street, only to find that all of the windows are smashed and your merchandise is gone only because you are Jewish. 

Teardrop is the moment when your family is forced to leave their home without any personal possessions. 

Teardrop is the moment when your family members are violently separated from each other, perhaps for the last time. 

Teardrop is the moment you realize that you should’ve left and sought freedom many years earlier, but you wouldn’t believe the magnitude of hate.  

Teardrop is the moment you survived against all odds in the face of grotesque depravity. 

Teardrop is the moment you realize that everyone you know and love was murdered in the concentration camps. 

Teardrop is the moment you reunite with a lost relative you thought was killed. Teardrop is losing faith in humanity. 

Teardrop is grief. 

Teardrop is forgiveness. 

Teardrop is joy. 

Teardrop is catharsis. 

Teardrop is love. 

Teardrop is you're alive. 

Teardrop is seeing the next generation thrive.

Teardrop is determination.

Teardrop is resilience.

Teardrop is a call to action.

Teardrop is all of us.

What is your Teardrop moment?"