Jacqueline von Edelberg writes: 'This pavilion, built to create community, is fulfilling its intent. For so many of us, the memorial has offered a place and a purpose — a way forward.'
Notes, flowers and other items at the public art installation created by local artist Jacqueline von Edelberg and others to memorialize the victims of the Independence Day mass shooting in Highland Park.
A chorus of a thousand “yeses” brought a living memorial to our community. These contributors transformed a public thoroughfare into an evolving interactive public art installation that speaks to the best of humanity. Notes from family members of the Highland Park victims hang from altar images, yarn necklaces laden with unfathomable loss: “Papi, It hasn’t gotten easier. I miss you so much. I need you. I love you.”
Visitors leave what they want and take what they need. Yarn engulfs artifacts: rocks, trinkets, memorabilia, crocheted hearts, origami swans, glass butterflies, crosses and Stars of David. A Buddhist altar to Shiva cradles incense, an orchid, a clementine and a chocolate chip cookie. The memorial inhales community voice and exhales healing.The impracticality and impermanence of it all hardly seem to matter.
This pavilion, built to create community, is fulfilling its intent. The diversity of the victims and the wounded has brought together mourners of all races, genders, ages, religions and socioeconomic groups. Collaborative craft has overwhelmed cultural differences, language barriers, distrust and fear. For so many of us, the memorial has offered a place and a purpose — a way forward.
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