Monstrosity by Monstrous Means: Cambodian Memorial Sites

Cambodian memorial sites to the genocide (1975–1979) employ visually and aesthetically 'monstrous' means, contrasting sharply with Holocaust memorials that prioritize restraint and ethical representation. While Cambodian sites depict atrocities unflinchingly—often without consideration for victims or visitors—they challenge traditional genocide memorial ethics by forcing confrontation with uncomfortable truths. This approach, though problematic, carries transformative potential: it exposes dilemmas inherent in memorialization while advocating for rethinking standards of representation. The study argues that these sites, by violating the 'Holocaust Bilderverbot' tradition (avoiding graphic depiction), provoke critical reflection on whether ethical boundaries should be abandoned to better confront historical horrors.

Post, H. C. (2016). Monstrosity by Monstrous Means: Cambodian Memorial Sites. Landscapes of Monstrosity, 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1163/9781848883703_003