Welcome to my blog, dear readers, where art meets history, empathy, and the pursuit of understanding one big number.
My name is Liora Blum, and I am an artist. As artists, we see the unseen and try to communicate and explore ideas through color and form.
As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, I’ve always been obsessed with the Holocaust. I grew up with the number six million. It was always there, a part of my heritage. Six million was always an incomprehensible number for me but I needed to see it. I thought, if I painted six million brush strokes, what would they look like all packed together? That is how The Six Million Project was born.
I have embarked on a long and profound journey, one that seeks to shed light on the lives of six million Jews who perished – one of whom was my grandfather, Yenö Glazer, of blessed memory.
The Significance of Six Million
The number 6 million stands as a haunting reminder of the lives that were lost during the Holocaust. It's a number that transcends statistics, representing the immense human suffering, families torn apart, dreams extinguished, and a world forever changed. Yet, behind this staggering figure lies a collection of unique stories, each a testament to the individuality, resilience, and humanity of those who perished.
Art as a Vehicle for Remembrance
In times of reflection and remembrance, art possesses a unique power. It has the ability to transcend language barriers, evoke emotions, and connect us to the past in ways that words alone cannot. Through this art project, I aspire to utilize this power to bridge the gap between history and present-day understanding.
My Creative Process
I paint the rectangles at home with gouache on paper. I mark out a grid of lines in pencil, and each rectangle is hand-painted. I try my best to paint a smooth-edged rectangle, but no human is perfect and some come out shorter or thinner than others, some are bright and some look more transparent, some lines are more shaky and some corners are slightly rounded – just like human beings, no one is ever perfect. While I paint, I listen to audio-books about the Holocaust and documentaries about World War II.
If I paint the whole project myself, it will take me twenty years to complete! My goal is to reach out to people around the world who would like to take part in this journey.
Imagine joining hands, hearts, and brushes across the globe for this extraordinary art endeavor. This painting will come alive with 60,000 hand-painted pieces, each bearing the name and story of a precious soul.
These canvases have become portals through which I invite you to journey with me, experiencing the lives that once thrived, the struggles that were endured, and the strength that still echoes through time.
What to Expect
In the coming weeks, this blog will serve as a virtual gallery of thoughts, stories, and the progress of the project. I'll uncover individual narratives of survival, resilience, and tragedy. I'll aim to capture the essence of those stories, breathing life into individuals that history must not forget. I'll reflect on the importance of remembrance and how understanding the past can shape our collective future.
Join Me on This Journey
I invite you to be a part of this journey of exploration and remembrance. Engage with my posts, share your thoughts, and join me on this painting project. Together, let's honor the memory of the victims.
As I set forth on this path of understanding the number six million, I'm grateful for your presence here. Let's embark on a journey that transcends time, bridging gaps, and reminding us of our shared humanity. Stay tuned for the upcoming posts, where I'll delve into individual stories that deserve to be heard and remembered.
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