Babyn Yar Memorial
Kiev, Ukraine
Our scheme consists of a 25-meter long x 25-meter wide x 25-meter high structure.
The proposed structure holds in suspension the abstracted replica of the ravine reproducing the morphology of the terrain at the exact same coordinates and as it was during the unfortunate events of 1941. The 1:1 scale model of the original topography is framed by peripheral walls. The walls hide a vertical open to sky staircase. Visitors can access through the narrow staircase the replicated chunk of the ravine and experience the reconstructed topography in total isolation from the surrounding park. The peripheral staircase also leads to a narrow peripheral balcony situated 25 meters above ground level, overlooking the simulated “archeological dig” below as well the surrounding park.
The two conditions (the bottom of the re-created ravine v/s the overlooking peripheral balcony above) are meant to put the visitors in an experiential confrontation according to their respective location in the proposed installation.
The Babyn Yar complex was struck by a Russian missile on March 1 2022, during Russia's invasion of Ukraine as Russian forces were trying to destroy the nearby Kyiv TV Tower. The attack killed at least five people.
