As we visited the Ghetto of Heroes Square today in the heart of Krakow, I was reminded of the valuable assets of public art. We often think of art as something displayed on a wall, created in a classroom, or on exhibit in a museum. Walking between the space of 70 chairs brought a realization of how public art allows and encourages the community and visitors to ask questions and debate concepts. It starts conversations among people of all ages and social-economic status while immersed into a historical event. Public art brings people together.
Knowing only the title and city of Ghetto of Heroes Square, I interpreted the empty chairs to the right that are grouped in threes and are the only chairs with old, some broken, and splintered wooden chairs as victims waiting for deportation. The main chairs are more durable and taller with the negative space longer left me to believe these chairs represent those who fought against the Germans during the uprising. There is an additional row of chairs close together facing outward away from the others. They are on the outside of the main square almost like they are protecting the Jews and preventing deportation.
Upon discussion one peer viewed the chairs as empty places at the dinner table, not only for war victims but for the generation that was never born; while another interpreted the chairs as looking into the ghetto reflecting the lives within.
The Ghetto of Heroes Square was designed by Piotr Lewifki, an architect and sculptor Kasimierz Latak. It was unveiled in 2005 on the 62nd anniversary of the Krakow liquidation. The 70 chairs are spaced apart allowing visitors to walk through the art with the goal of reminding us of the homes, personal belongings, suitcases and lives left behind. The varied chair sizes represent the different ages and backgrounds of individuals. All the chairs are facing towards the train tracks.
It is unclear if the chairs are interactive. Are the chairs intended for sitting and reflecting? Why are there lights under the taller chairs but not under the wooden seats?
