Christian Boltanski's work is very much based around the idea of memory. He creates installations of photographs of anonymous dead people, which are then lit and displayed. This is quite an interesting installation because eventhough the pictures of each subject are dark and appear slightly gloomy the lights add a more positive feel, and highlighted that these people should be remembered. The lights almost simulate the feel, as if someone was lighting a candle in a church for someone close who has passed away.
"The photographs of anonymous dead people were selected by Boltanski from obituary notices in Swiss newspapers. The lengths of fabric gathered around the shelves are shroud-like and also evoke the curtain of the crematorium. Aside from this suggestion of 'memento mori' the harsh beams that spotlight each face evoke references to interrogation and torture. These aspects together with the sheer scale of death suggested by the title and by the repetitive presentation employed here have led commentators to find references to the holocaust. However by nominating the victims as Swiss, a neutral people, the association is muted and allows for more intimate, personal and wider, historical reflections."
