Massagraf 1942 - 1945

This black and white photograph, whose maker is unknown to us, captures a moment of unspeakable horror. I can't begin to imagine what it might have been like to witness this scene firsthand, let alone be responsible for it. The figures are rendered in stark tones of gray. The photo presents a chaotic scene – perhaps the chaos attempts to convey something of the experience? The image reveals a pit filled with bodies, while men stand nearby seemingly placing corpses upon the pile. The black and white tones give the photograph a timeless quality, as if the horror it depicts exists outside the boundaries of time. I think about artists like Leon Golub, who confronted themes of violence and oppression in his paintings. Golub's work reminds us that art can be a powerful tool for bearing witness to the darkest aspects of human history. And while I can't claim to fully understand the weight of this scene, I can bear witness to it, acknowledge its existence, and honor the memory of those who suffered.