Written by: Marissa Catteau (Junior Biochem)
“It is not an exhibition – not art, not images, but words enclosed in sketches. Besides, my intention was not to fulfil the duty of remembrance and giving testimony through art. Art is helpless when confronted with what man inflicted on another man… Approaching Auschwitz through sketches. Everyone who was in Auschwitz and survived it has been indelibly stigmatized for life with the human tragedy which took place there. I would like to give a clue to the visitor: be patient and carefully read everything written in these sketches. These are ‘words I have drawn to you’. They must be read.”
— Marian Koldziej
Marian Kolodziej’s labyrinth is simply indescribable. Marian was a man who arrived at KL Auschwitz on the first train of prisoners and survived through to liberation. 40 years after liberation, and after suffering a stroke, Marian began to draw the demons of his past. I wish I could convey to you the pain displayed in his artwork. Many of the pieces included men with hollowed faces, contorted expressions, and eyes that were filled with fear.
Photo by: Marissa Catteau
The labyrinth is much more than just a collection of Marian’s artwork. The labyrinth was deliberately laid out so that each step in the dimly lit, cold place allowed you to feel his personal Auschwitz. Each step took you through his time spent in the “Death Factory,” each step took you further into the hell that Marian lived with for the rest of his life post-liberation.
Photo by: Marissa Catteau
I cannot begin to describe how the labyrinth made me feel. Marian Kolodziej’s artwork was beautifully horrific. He imparted so much pain in each face; each set of eyes was filled with fear that cut you to the bone. His artwork showed the demons he was living with daily; he says its his own personal Auschwitz. That statement chills me to the bone. Even after liberation, he still felt like he was in hell.
Photo by: Marissa Catteau
I have been struggling to describe how the labyrinth makes me feel. I am in awe at the true talent he had, yet I’m disgusted with the demons he carried. I am distraught with the pain I was able to see and feel though the pieces of art. Standing at the beginning of the labyrinth, I was in shock at the true horror Marian felt daily. He managed to survive from the opening of Auschwitz until its liberation – a feat not many accomplished. We hear about how awful conditions were in the camp, how difficult it was to survive, but we never really see how this affects people even 50 years later. I cannot fathom how enduring this must have tortured his soul, but after seeing these beautiful, horrifying, disturbed works of art became the only glimpse into his soul that there may be left.