Created by William Lyon, Dante Dibenedeto, Ben Gao, James Doyle
Introduction
The Auschwitz concentration camp, established by the Nazis, was a symbol of forced labor and mass murder, the most notorious of any Nazi camp. Over 1.3 million people were deported there by 1945, with 1.1 million dead. Auschwitz II, or Auschwitz-Birkenau, housed the largest prisoner population and was infamous for mass killings using Zyklon B gas. Auschwitz III, or Buna/Monowitz, had 39 subcamps where inmates endured grueling labor. Auschwitz was the deadliest concentration camp established by the Nazis, and was the biggest factor in the Holocaust.
Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, there was a rise in anti-Semitism across Europe. This hatred towards Jews was started by a combination of historical prejudices and socio-economic tensions. Jewish communities faced increasing discrimination, with restrictive laws and policies limiting their rights and opportunities. As part of the persecution, the Nazis established ghettos to segregate Jews from the population. These closed-off areas were overcrowded, unsanitary, and lacked basic resources. Jews were forcibly relocated to these ghettos, where they endured suffering and deprivation. This dehumanizing treatment was an introduction to the horrors of the camps, where millions of innocent lives would be tragically lost. The rise of anti-Semitism and the establishment of ghettos in the Holocaust serve as reminders of the dangers of intolerance and the importance of promoting inclusivity and understanding in our society.
Soon, Jews from the ghettos were ordered to board trains, headed towards death camps and labor camps. Crowded, inhumane trains carried people, primarily Jews, but also people deemed “undesirables” by the Nazis, including Poles and gypsies, to several camps, the biggest of which was Auschwitz. These trains were often overcrowded, with no access to food, water, or sanitation. Many died during the journey due to harsh conditions and violence. The arrival of trains at Auschwitz brought its own chaos and terror as families were separated, adding to the psychological trauma. This transportation system was a key part of the Nazis’ efficient machinery of genocide, stripping victims of their humanity.
As Jews and “undesirables” arrived at Auschwitz, they were subjected to a process known as “selection.” Upon disembarking from the trains, they were immediately thrown into a state of panic–Nazi dogs barking and officers shouting orders caused those who arrived to be scared-causing them to obey the Nazis’ orders. Soon, they would be separated into two groups – one deemed fit for forced labor, and the other destined for extermination. This arbitrary division was often carried out by Nazi doctors and SS officers, who made life and death decisions based on a quick glance at a person’s immediate physical appearance. Families were torn apart, as children, females, elderly, and those deemed weak or unfit were immediately sent to the gas chambers. The selected individuals were stripped of their clothes, belongings, and dignity, forced to endure unimaginable suffering. The arrival at Auschwitz marked the beginning of a nightmarish journey for the “survivors”, where countless innocent lives were lost and the depths of human cruelty were laid bare. In the end, the arrival of prisoners and the “selection” marked a major turning point in the lives of many.
Daily life in the concentration camps was marked by a cruel hierarchy, harsh conditions, and relentless struggle for survival. Despite the hardships, prisoners found peace in cultural and religious activities, creating art, writing diaries, and conducting prayer services. Jewish supervisors, or kapos, varied in their treatment of fellow prisoners, while some showed compassion, others were harsh. Survival often depended on finding opportunities like working as a soup cooker or leveraging circumstances like dysentery to trade for extra rations. These stories reflect the immense suffering and unwavering resilience of individuals striving to maintain their humanity in the face of unimaginable cruelty.
The liberation of the concentration camps brought both relief and devastation. The Soviet Red Army liberated Auschwitz concentration camp on January 27, 1945, Survivors were freed from their captors, but the aftermath revealed the horrors that had taken place. The physical and emotional scars were profound, and rebuilding shattered lives was a difficult journey. Survivors were left with a difficult job to reunite with their family, who almost certainly died during the war. The liberation marked the end of the nightmare, but the world was confronted with the reality of the Holocaust. Elie Wiesel, an Auschwitz survivor who was the author of a memoir our grade read, says; “Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil.” Ultimately, we should not forget the horrors of the Holocaust, and as the number of survivors decrease, it will be our duty to remember.
Bibliography & Resources
- https://www.yadvashem.org/holocaust/about/final-solution/death-camps.html
- Daily Life in the Camps. www.yadvashem.org/holocaust/about/camps/daily-life.html#narrative_info
- https://iwitness.usc.edu/testimony/8345?search=Auschwitz%20&category=testimonies&from=%2Fsearch
- https://libguides.fenn.org/ld.php?content_id=70209837
- https://iwitness.usc.edu/testimony/20405?search=Auschwitz&category=testimonies&from=%2Fsearch
- “CommonLit | Auschwitz by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum | CommonLit.” CommonLit, www.commonlit.org/en/texts/auschwitz
Artifact Statement
Artifact Statement
Our Holocaust artifact, “Auschwitz: Shadows of Despair,” is a replica of the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp. Its purpose is to commemorate the millions of innocent lives lost and to ensure that the atrocities committed in the Holocaust are not forgotten. We aimed to create an artifact which will catch attention, allowing viewers to connect with the horrors that took place in Auschwitz.
We understand the significance of symbolism in conveying the impact of the memorial. Drawing inspiration from historical accounts, we decided to incorporate the Jewish star on the train cars, symbolizing the dehumanization and categorization of the victims by the Nazis. This symbol serves as a reminder of the systematic persecution and discrimination faced by the Jewish community.
Stepping inside of Auschwitz, the replica begins to turn black and white. This choice of colors aims to depict the bleakness and hopelessness that the prisoners experienced throughout the Holocaust. The absence of any other colors emphasizes the oppressive environment, causing viewers to empathize with the suffering and loss endured by the prisoners.
By using powerful emotions and immersing viewers in the reality of Auschwitz, we hope to cause a sense of empathy to arise in each viewer. The Jewish star on the train cars and the monochromatic interior should cause contemplation, encouraging viewers to reflect on the victims’ experiences and the profound impact of the Holocaust on humanity.
Ultimately, our artifact should not be seen as an exact replica of Auschwitz, but a collection of symbols that describe the suffering prisoners endured. The most important idea, however, is to never forget.
Remembrance is crucial in the aftermath of the Holocaust, because after the survivors perish, it is up to us to bear witness to the atrocities committed by the Nazis.
Personal Reflections
A Reflection
Finding the Right Words
~Ben Gao, Class of 2025
I am Ben, and my role in the project was writing much of the script and artist statement. A major theme I commonly encountered while writing was the importance of remembrance. As Elie Wiesel once said, “Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil.” As survivors from the Holocaust begin to perish, it will be our job to remember the atrocities the Nazis committed in the war. In the artifact, I made the red gate to Auschwitz. It was a tough process, as the shape was difficult to carve out with a knife. Although I completed this part of the artifact, the majority of my work was on the script, movie, and artist statement.
Although I had already been aware of the importance of the Holocaust, a project at school brought me to light about the real atrocities committed. The project caused reflection about the importance of remembering what happened. Ultimately, what was hard about the project was especially writing the artist script, as it was difficult to write a documentary designed to teach knowledgeable people and people who are new to the topic.
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