Avi Yair
The Column of the Innocents
Israel
Creating a collage revolving around the column in Birr square and its meaning as a monument was an interesting challenge. As I often incorporate maps in my works, here I created an etching of the map of the sky. Placing it behind the column gives the feeling of endlessness and space, hinting at man's place in the universe and alluding to the advancements in astronomy that are part of Birr's history. I reversed the image of Darwin's evolution of man by placing the homo-sapiens at the back, illustrating that men always strive to move forward and better themselves. Furthermore, learning about the "Law of Innocents" initiated by the Synod of Birr in 697 exemplifies this. This one moment changed the course of man's history forever and for the better, while simultaneously acknowledging that wars and violence are a part of life. This is also one reason why I changed the column's proportions and left it empty on top. History is the past but is also being made in the present so instead of placing a figure of a leader atop the column, the female angel looks on from the side, as though hinting that she is keeping watch. The empty column represents what is no longer there and leaves room for hope and renewal.
The Column of the Innocents
Israel
Creating a collage revolving around the column in Birr square and its meaning as a monument was an interesting challenge. As I often incorporate maps in my works, here I created an etching of the map of the sky. Placing it behind the column gives the feeling of endlessness and space, hinting at man's place in the universe and alluding to the advancements in astronomy that are part of Birr's history. I reversed the image of Darwin's evolution of man by placing the homo-sapiens at the back, illustrating that men always strive to move forward and better themselves. Furthermore, learning about the "Law of Innocents" initiated by the Synod of Birr in 697 exemplifies this. This one moment changed the course of man's history forever and for the better, while simultaneously acknowledging that wars and violence are a part of life. This is also one reason why I changed the column's proportions and left it empty on top. History is the past but is also being made in the present so instead of placing a figure of a leader atop the column, the female angel looks on from the side, as though hinting that she is keeping watch. The empty column represents what is no longer there and leaves room for hope and renewal.