Great War Memorial

To you we vow, you endless streams of light
That bathe one hundred billion worlds in soft
Yet radiant hope; through times of darkest Night
And spirit-girding Joy; held fast aloft
As fragile silk from shining webs above...
To you we thought invincible before,
We vow to hold our Vigil, filled with love,
And swear to end the scourge of bloodstained War.

-the text of the Great War Memorial

Significance

The Great War Memorial is a whole-room work of art that serves as the entryway to the main floor of the political chamber on Accordia, the heart of the highest governing body in the galaxy. The dome-shaped room is kept completely dark, and the doors leading into and out of the room are light-sealed, marked only by a small illuminated dot on each. In the center of the room is a pedestal with the poem above illuminated, visible on two plaques, each facing one of the doors. Above a central pedestal, at a height of roughly three meters, is a large, irregular, black sphere meant to represent the black hole at Persephone. Because the room is completely dark, it is invisible. Illuminating the room is a misdemeanor with incredibly steep fines, and flash photography in the room results in a violent arrest and destruction of the photograph.

The work of art is meant to remind those in galactic power of the atrocity at Persephone, and the perils of armed conflict. By forcing those who would pass judgment and law to wander in the painful dark, feeling helplessly around the central obstacle, it serves a grim purpose and fulfills the vigil sworn by its letters.

Item type

Unique Artifact

Owning Organization

Parties to the Sol Accords

Rarity

Unique

Dimensions

20m diameter