A nationally unique and new work of art was created in Debrecen’s main square, in the Glass Pyramid, the municipality informed. The new data-based installation visible in the pyramid shapes the chronicle of the fires that defined the history of the city into a special monument.
In the Glass Pyramid commemorating the former St. Andrew’s Church and the Tower of Blood, the stories of Debrecen’s fires come to life, showing that the rebirth of the city and the human soul is possible at any time, giving strength to the everyday lives of people living today.
The history of Debrecen was fundamentally determined by fires, which often and to a great extent destroyed up to the 19th century. until the middle of the century. The city of Debrecen, together with the Reformed Parish of the Great Cathedral, decided to commemorate these fires, thus reminding its citizens that “just as the city was rebuilt from the ashes after the fires, so the soul is reborn in Christ”. Based on minutes and written documents found in the archives in Debrecen, researchers and alumni artists of Moholy-Nagy University of Arts (MOME), one of the region’s most significant design universities and key innovation centers, created the data-based installation, which shows the history of the city’s fires. The memorial was created by the creators using the tools of design, the designer’s way of thinking went through the creative process from the assessment of the possible target audience to the development of the concept. The work created in this way can multiply the power of traditional works, since through it we can connect to the past and our stories through several layers, and this has a significant identity-forming power for all generations.
The installation was created based on the digitization of data and maps extracted from minutes and written documents found in the archives of Debrecen, as well as from the study of Dr. Jenő Roncsik Roncsik. In addition to reminding us of the tragedies of the past, the raw materials that make up the data object and the layers of glass of the monolith also symbolize determination and rebirth. In the work reflecting on the renewal of the city, the materials of the reconstruction also appear, wood, glass, metal, and concrete complement each other and pass on this defining narrative of the city’s history, the message of which is that the city and its inhabitants have always been able to get back on their feet, to draw new strength after trials. The number and spatial extent of the fires that accompanied the citizens of the city of Cívis over the centuries also become visible. The work of art was placed at the memorial site of the Blood Tower, which was destroyed in a fire in 1802, where visitors can learn about the history of both the tower and the fires. The artwork was created by visual artist Olga Kocsi and researcher Mihály Minkó.
At the end of the summer, the installation of visual artist Erik Mátrai was placed on the top of the Glass Pyramid, symbolizing rebirth and resurrection, similar to the phoenix on the coat of arms of the Reformed Great Church and the city. Together, the two works of art, complementing each other, symbolize the city of Cívis, which was burned several times, and the life reborn in Christ.
“Red Tower” – creators of the artwork on top of the Glass Pyramid:
- Erik Mátrai is a visual artist
- Adorján Zalán
The creators of the artwork in the Glass Pyramid:
- Data physicalization: Olga Kocsi (MOME alumni), Mihály Minkó (MOME Innovation Center)
- Project manager: Natália Pass (MOME Innovation Center)
- Design: Olga Kocsi
- Programming: Dávid Mórász
- Wood: Fanni Hegedűs (MOME alumni)
- Metal: Elód Halász (MOME alumni)
- Concrete: Olga Kocsi’s artwork courtesy of VPI Kft
Glass: Gyula János Szegedi, Piroska Szilágyi Szegediné
(Debreceni Nap)
