"Nine thousand silhouettes have been stenciled in the sand on a Normandy
beach to commemorate the soldiers and civilians who died on June 6,
1944.
This moving tribute, called "The Fallen," was conceived by British artists Jamie Wardley and Andy Moss, who enlisted the help of 500 volunteers to mark the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.
It took two years to prepare for the project, and more than five hours to produce it. The weather cooperated while the volunteers worked on the beach, but the piece lasted only a few hours before the tide washed away the memorial. The photographs capture the power of Wardley and Moss’ work.
"All around us there are relics of the Second World War, but the one thing that is missing are the people that actually died," Wardley said. "We've very quietly made a big statement." "
This moving tribute, called "The Fallen," was conceived by British artists Jamie Wardley and Andy Moss, who enlisted the help of 500 volunteers to mark the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.
It took two years to prepare for the project, and more than five hours to produce it. The weather cooperated while the volunteers worked on the beach, but the piece lasted only a few hours before the tide washed away the memorial. The photographs capture the power of Wardley and Moss’ work.
"All around us there are relics of the Second World War, but the one thing that is missing are the people that actually died," Wardley said. "We've very quietly made a big statement." "
From the Gettysburg address:
"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we
can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living
and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor
power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember
what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for
us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which
they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for
us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from
these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which
they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve
that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God,
shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
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| Matthew Brady, 1962 |
A beautiful post and tribute, Tara. My father landed in Normandie D-Day plus 3. The war changed him. He saw things he could hardly talk about. He understood why his four children were anti-war. I wish we lived in a time when there simply was no more war.
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing "The Fallen" to our attention today. I've just finished reading Sophie Scholl & The White Rose, about a group of German students who acted against the Nazis during World War II. Startling parallels between the rise of Trump and the rise of Hitler in 1933. Sobering to think of all the wars that have been and those who continue to die in our never-ending wars.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that we never learn and find better ways to solve our differences that does not require sending our young to die.
ReplyDeletei really likes your blog and You have shared the whole concept really well. and Very beautifully soulful read! thanks for sharing.
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