Illuminated Quotes

            On this gloomy day at the Irish Hunger Memorial, there was a source of light to guide me. Multiple light sources, that is. Along the sides of the structure, where visitors are expected to enter, my attention was immediately draw to faint letters that rose to the forefront of a glowing backdrop. Struggling to make coherent sentences out of the individual words, I took a step back. Before me appeared long sentences that lined radiant slates.

 As I analyzed the text, I assumed this was information regarding the history of the Great Famine in order to set the historical backdrop for the visitor. What I later found was that this text is not only historical, but combines contemporary writings on world hunger. This integration of a historical famine with present day hunger awareness felt necessary and appropriate. For to turn a blind eye toward modern-day starvation and food shortage, and to focus solely on the past, is not only unproductive, but also unjust.

Beyond the literal meaning of these words is how the illumination sets the tone of the delicate atmosphere of the memorial. On one hand, the light sparked a sense of comfort and security in me, especially on that lifeless January day. On the other hand, upon learning that the words were not carved, but were shadows, an indescribable uneasiness arose within me. This decision was an intentional move of Tolle’s, as he strived to induce a ghostly atmosphere before one entered the structure.

This illusion, in a sense, represented the whole of the memorial: a deliberate structure designed to elicit some sort of emotional response or reaction from its visitor. This feature of the memorial was certainly successful in evoking emotions. I continued my walk along the sides of the structure, and I eventually entered into a tunnel where these illuminated panels guided the way, sending me back into the past. This isolating sensation only intensified as I emerged into what seemed like a tiny, purposeless box composed of brick.