HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE MEMORIAL GROVE NEARING COMPLETION AND SET TO DEBUT IN SPRING
Matt Rice
Sonoma State Star
Sept 10 2008
CA
SSU’s long awaited Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Grove is finally
nearing completion.
The Grove, with Associate Professor of Sculpture Jann Nunn’s
painstakingly detailed sculpture as its centerpiece, has been going
through planning and construction phases for nearly two years.
"Sometime in April," is the opening date Nunn anticipates.
The original date was set for Nov. 9 of this year, however that proved
unrealistic based on the huge scale of the project.
Consisting of two 40- foot lengths of former Union Pacific Railroads
tracks laid parallel to each other, set on angles to gradually
converge, the intent of the design is meant to create a metaphor of
coming together and leaving a past of dissention and hatred behind.
The tracks meet at the base of the cylindrical monument, which Nunn
and select students constructed of over five thousand pieces of
window louver glass that had to be individually joined and sealed
from the elements.
The glass is internally lit and sits atop an equally impressive black
marble base that tapers from a three foot diameter base into a two
foot diameter at the top of its one foot height.
Though beautiful on its own, the base carries a message possibly even
more so.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
matter," is the quote that appears on the base. It is attributed to
Martin Luther King Jr.
Surprisingly, the project is relatively unknown to many SSU students,
despite the long development period and previous reporting.
"That’s interesting, I didn’t know that," replied Constance Bravos,
a Psychology major, when told about the Memorial Grove.
The Grove is meant to honor victims of all genocides in known history,
and will feature symbols unique to each one.
A favorite of Nunn’s is a spiral representing the Armenian genocide.
Also adding to the already meaningful properties of the project is
the entourage that will be present when it opens.
Nunn added that each group depicted in the memorial will have a
representative present.
This project is one that is unprecedented in SSU history, and it is
for the sculptor as well.
Though Nunn has had experience with permanent outdoor pieces, the
majority of her work has been on temporary pieces, including featured
work at the acclaimed Burning Man festival.
Learning has been a key part of the experience as well for the creator
of this noteworthy piece.
"[I] didn’t expect it to take as long as it didââ~B¬Â¦.[but it]
was a really positive experience all around," said Nunn.
She especially appreciates the fact that it affirms a core belief.
"You can realize anything you imagine but it takes dedication and
determination."
The completion of the project marks a long and concerted effort
between faculty in staff that will result in a unique new place.
"In conjunction with the Alumni Grove Brick Project, [the Memorial
Grove] will provide a serene and extraordinarily beautiful place for
students, staff, faculty and visitors to relax and contemplate at
the lakes’ edge," said John Champie, Facilities Operations Manager.
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