Invisible Monument of Assyrian Diaspora

What is a memory? Some have memories from another time and place, others from today.

When we tell of these, do they become history? In the work "Invisible Monument of Assyrian Diaspora", memories become stories that meet in a community that then becomes history. A work that lifts up both the individual and the collective voice.

Based on interviews and workshops with a group from the Assyrian Association, the artist Jens Evaldsson has created a digital 3D sculpture on the theme of memory and invisibility. The basis of the sculpture is the Ziggurat of Ur, a temple of burnt clay on which the "Tree of Life" grows. The tree carries references to the Christmas tree and to advanced irrigation systems. On the temple, and under the protection of the tree, rest the group's stories of memory.

The wheel for cart and potter's wheel – King Sargon

Astronomy and the 9 planets plus the Sun – the image of the Holy Mary

Longitude and latitude – a statue of an Assyrian lion hunt

The first legal text, the Code of Hammurabi – the cup from the Administrative Court of Appeal in Stockholm

Glassmaking, the small glass vessel – a photograph from childhood

Ceramics, the large pot – an image of the author Naum Faik

The written language, the cuneiform stones – headscarves from a grandmother and the sacred songbook

the circle of 360 degrees – the Assyrian flag that has been to a graduation party and football matches

This work is a collective effort, a collaboration between the Assyrian Association, Grafikens Hus, the artist Jens Evaldsson and Atorina Adam, art educator and artist. Participants: Sonya Aho, Admon Gabrial, Tedora Bahi, Abir Malo Tasc, Ninve Isik, Alexandra Aho, Nadhira Karkeni, Sarkis Malko, Edessa and Izla Charro

Thanks to the Louvre for 3D-scanned parts of cuneiform stones, among others.