Recall [what]

In 2017, photo projects on colta.ru are divided into several blocks. The fifth block is called “Private” and demonstrates works that penetrate the private space beyond the boundaries of the generally accepted and permitted, which outstand the individuality of the author and the hero. Today is the project of Alexander Levin "to recall [what]."

From the author

On the territory of the former concentration camp, Auschwitz was in the spring of 2017 - along with several hundred young Jews from the countries of the post -Soviet space. We traveled to the places of Europe, which played an important role in the life of the Jewish people: we traced the stages of development of European Jewish communities in Italy and Monaco, in Spain we talked about the transformation of attitude towards Jews and about Marran. Auschwitz played the most important role, and therefore our trip ended.

To the entrance to the territory of the Birkenau-1 labor camp-the inscription a rbeit Macht Frei -we are approaching a group of tourists who have no idea what it has to encounter.

Knowledge of Shoa seems to be a priori for everyone here. No additional stimulants of feelings or imagination were required like breasts taken from prisoners of things or barracks in which they were kept to understand - this happened here. The most powerful trigger of historical memory makes the gear of the mind spin in trying to self -identification much faster than usual. And so we stand with the barracks, and many guys put on Tfilin - not because they are religious, not because the schedule has come, and not even because the Auschwitz is supposed to read prayers. They do this, rather, in an attempt to unite with their own people and their history. Auschwitz becomes a common place of the nation, in which you think not only about unity with a specific people, but also about the differences from the rest. What do other people feel here? Auschwitz now is the space of a deeply personal, intimate (no one is shy here), and public; This is a place of unity.

I took this series of photographs, observing the reaction and feelings of people who went with me through the central entrance of the camp - a long string of Jewish men and women that this camp saw thousands.