When Damage Becomes Memorial

Structures bearing the physical scars of war, such as Hiroshima’s Genbaku Dome, serve as powerful memorials through 'exemplification'—a concept where artifacts embody the destructive acts that damaged them. Unlike traditional monuments designed to commemorate, these sites carry an additional symbolic weight by preserving visible damage, conveying both historical trauma and the consequences of conflict. The study explores this phenomenon, distinguishing it from other forms of war commemoration using representation, inscription, or cultural references. By analyzing such memorials, including preserved remains like Coventry Cathedral, the research highlights their unique capacity to evoke emotional and ethical responses, challenging conventional approaches to remembrance.

Korsmeyer, C. (2023). When Damage Becomes Memorial. Heritage and War, 133–152. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780192862648.003.0008