Holocaust tribute art installation at school
AN art installation made up of 1,000 paper cranes and 1,000 paper butterflies formed part of a tribute to victims of the Holocaust at Cheadle Hulme School.
Close to 100 visitors attended the Metamorphosis interactive exhibition, which included a performance by The Menorah Synagogue Choir, presentations by Cheadle Hulme School’s Sixth Form history and politics students, an Anne Frank exhibition, a sound installation and testimonials from Holocaust survivors, Ruth and Werner Lachs.
Commemorating the Holocaust and remembering child victims who lost their lives, the art installation featured hanging origami butterflies and cranes, folded by staff and students.
Written in each paper butterfly was a student’s pledge for change, with messages of remembrance written on attached luggage tags.
Mirroring the Sadako Sasaki Japanese legend which promises that anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes will be granted a wish by the gods, the aim of the exhibition was to fold enough for a whole school wish – that no such atrocity will ever happen again and mankind will learn to tolerate and celebrate the diversity of the human race.
Visitors were invited to fold their own additions to the art display containing a pledge and students who visited Auschwitz as part of The Holocaust Educational Trust programme spoke about their experience.
Designed to recreate what people might have heard on the way to a concentration camp, the school’s corridors were plunged into darkness, with sounds of dogs barking, trains, prisoners and prison guards.