The objective of this sub-threshold two-stage project competition was to receive proposals for the artistic design of a “Memorial to the Men and Women Victimized by the Persecution of Homosexuals in the Nazi Era”, which is to be erected on a designated site in Resselpark, in the 4th municipal district of Vienna.

The competition was a two-stage open competition. The call for participation and proposals was issued by public notice and addressed to any interested parties. Project and concept proposals were submitted by January 17, 2022. Of these, eight were recommended for further development in the second stage.

On May 18, 2022, the 10-member voting jury decided in favor of the design from the artistic team of Sarah Ortmeyer and Karl Kolbitz.

Winning proposal: Sarah Ortmeyer and Karl Kolbitz - ARCUS (Shadow of a Rainbow).

"The sculpture ARCUS (Shadow of a Rainbow) translates the bright rainbow colors, today the symbol of the LGBTIQ movement, into diverse shades of gray, thus emphasizing mourning and commemoration. The design is simple and understandable at first glance, while at the same time multilayered, expressive and readable on different levels.

Through the use of the rainbow, the dignified remembrance of the men and women who were victims of homosexual persecution during the Nazi era is brought into the present and given contemporary resonance. At the same time, the sculpture creates curiosity; creates a multiplicity of shades despite its gray tones; and is unfathomable - because a rainbow as an optical phenomenon cannot actually cast a shadow. And unfathomable is also what happened, the persecution and murder of people.

Thus the half-circle form of the sculpture, which as if by chance creates space and moments to pause and linger, acquires poetry, connects past with the present, present with future, and mourning and commemoration with a reminder to all of us – because a rainbow needs ideal circumstances to appear – to be able to be alive.

The successful artistic realization also convinces with its elegance and lightness. The sculpture blends gently into the surroundings and the topography of the site. It is monumental yet fragile and opens up numerous new sightlines in the park."

-- Jury Statement

The sculpture is the shadow of a rainbow, a memorial to the people who were persecuted as homosexuals during the Nazi era.

For centuries, this natural phenomenon has represented hope. The colored rainbow is a symbol that emerged from the midst of the LGBTIQ community and is used around the globe. ARCUS thus deliberately counterposes external symbols that have been used to negatively label homosexuals.

History is interconnected. The suffering and struggles of previous generations influence our lives today and our lives tomorrow.

In nature, the rainbow is a complex phenomenon in a fragile state. It shines only when very specific conditions are in place. This delicate construct of equality and acceptance remains fragile.

By removing the familiar colors, a rainbow in shades of gray is created: ARCUS keeps the memory of those discriminated against, persecuted, and murdered as homosexuals alive.

The memorial in the Resselpark preserves and visualizes memory in solidarity.

-- Sarah Ortmeyer and Karl Kolbitz

Other submitted designs for the competition

You can view all submitted designs at this link: https://www.koer.or.at/site/assets/files/9950/wettbewerb-denkmal-alle-entwuerfe.pdf