Stumbling Stones

Artist Gunter Demnig has created a series of Stolpersteine that commemorate thousands of residents who died in the Holocaust. His project involves replacing the ordinary cobblestones on the pavements, putting in their place stones bearing a simple inscription - name, date of birth and the date and location of death. The stones are positioned outside the houses of Jews, gypsies and others murdered by the Nazi regime. The simplicity of the concept is one of its most effective aspects. Many passers-by stop to look at and discuss the inscriptions on the ground beneath their feet. Especially after I draw their attention and natural curiosity by photographing the brass cobbles whenever I happen upon them. These stones are something that you can almost physically stumble over, I find it interesting that some people walk on them everyday and know nothing of their existence.