Chcą nas zmienić w reliefy i rzeźby...
They Want to Change Us into Reliefs and Sculptures...

Summary/Abstract: This article discusses a role of war memorials in popularizing militarism, war braveryand the idea of dying for the homeland. Following Krzysztof Varga (a writer) and KrzysztofWodiczko (a visual artist), the monumental structures of national memory become herea subject of critical reflection. They both show the deadly hypnotizing power of memorialsover people. To this end, they create an oneiric reality, in which the sacred objects of nationaltradition come to life and “vampirize” the would-be patriots. The task of the hypnotic andcritical style of interpreting memorials is, as it is proved, “to demilitarize” (“disarm”) ourculture.

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