Victims of Communism Memorial

Canada’s capital is an area rich in cultural landscapes. Sited within this context, west of the Garden of the Provinces and Territories and along the ceremonial Confederation Boulevard will be the Memorial to the Victims of Communism.  

Space2place, in collaboration with artist Ken Lum, was a finalist to design the newest memorial in Ottawa. This is the second attempt by the Government of Canada to establish a memorial for the Victims of Communism. Previously the memorial was inappropriately sited and somewhat overwrought.

Our proposal is for a more modest monument, that is in its essence a statue in a park. With a twist. History has shown us that when people are ready to be free from tyrannical rule, statues are pulled down as a symbol of change. The moment a monument is toppling represents a moment that hovers between collapse and activation and one that is imbued with the possibility of limitless positive change. This memorial is designed as a space to foster contemplation and reflection, while having the capacity for large gatherings during events. While the memorial site is relatively small there is a clear hierarchy of spaces within the site.