Monument to celebrate 100 years of Jewish immigration through Veracruz port In Mexico: Parallel Lives
The Project conceptualizes a bearing wall that supports 100 sculpted stone pieces on one side and 400 suspended stone lines on the other side, symbolizing Mexico as the gate to its land. Each of these 100 pieces, commemorate each year that the Jewish community has been living in Mexico, that they now consider theirs. At the same time those commemorative pieces with rough and robust finishes tell us about the ships and immigrants arriving.
On the opposite side of the wall the 100 pieces multiply to 400, demonstrating the birth of the new families. These 400 pieces experience a refining and polishing process while penetrating the wall, symbolizing a Mexico that offers overcome opportunities, facing a new life as a community.
Although there’s an apparent similitude between these pieces, they were sculpted with no repetition, particular characteristics and different shapes. Each one has small details that distinguish them, evoking each particular, important, unique year that the Jewish community has been living in Mexico.
The materials selected are black volcanic stone, granite and marble, they were cut and sculpted in various places around Mexico, so they can finally get to their final destination: Veracruz, port from which the immigrants entered.
The base holds the philosophy and history of the facts that provoked the creation of this monument. It also holds the recognitions of the diverse participants and gives the monument a sensation of being suspended, this way the monument speaks about the overcome opportunities that Mexico has given to the Jewish community.
To achieve the concept of a whole monument aside the water, a concrete bench,facing the horizon for the sea contemplation was integrated, honoring those brave men that with uncertainty came searching for a new life along the past century. A plaque with their names was integrated to the bench design.
