Remembering (with) the Body. Form and Experience in Post-war Memorial Architecture Dedicated to Political and Racial Deportation

Abstract

The text explores the evolution of memorial architecture post-World War II, focusing on its role in commemorating victims of political and racial deportation. It argues that architecture must transcend traditional formalism, becoming a reflection of collective experiences and processes shaped by historical traumas. Central to this discussion is the notion of "bare life," as defined by Giorgio Agamben, highlighting the loss of individuality and humanity in concentration camps, where victims were stripped of identity and agency. Memorial architecture faces unique challenges, as it must confront the unspeakability of the victims' experiences while also serving as a moral obligation to remember those silenced. The author emphasizes the need for architecture to facilitate a personal, embodied engagement with memory, transforming the act of visiting into an active reflection on the past. This shift from static monuments to dynamic memorials allows visitors to connect physically and emotionally with the history, bridging the gap between the past and present. Ultimately, the text advocates for an architecture that honours anonymity and collective suffering, seeking to reconstruct a sense of place and identity for victims through thoughtful design that encourages personal interpretation and reflection.

Keywords

• postwar architecture
• anonymous paradigm
• body and architecture
• memorial architecture
• sites of memory