8 5 3
Project: (MSU) February 13 Permanent Memorial Conceptual Design
Location: East Lansing, MI
Client: Michigan State University
Competition Year: 2024
Issued by: Vice President for Strategic Infrastructure Planning and Facilities
Background
In the wake of the violence of Feb. 13, 2023, Michigan State University established the Feb. 13 Memorial Planning Committee to create a permanent memorial. This committee has engaged with stakeholders, including those directly impacted, to gather input for the memorial, aiming to honor those affected and to provide a space for healing and community unity.
Objective “8 5 3” A Poetic Memorial Journey
In the serene embrace of the Old Horticulture Garden, adjacent to the Student Services Building and extending gracefully towards the Benefactors Plaza, stands a memorial designed not only to remember but to heal. Titled “8 5 3,” this tribute transforms the landscape into a poignant journey of reflection and unity.
The Beginning: 8
Chaos
The journey commences with eight concrete strips, each one foot wide, emerging from the garden’s edge. These strips represent the eight souls tragically targeted; their equal width of one feet width is a testament to their presence and impact. As you step onto these paths, the varying heights of the strips capture the chaos and confusion that engulfed the campus, a stark reminder of the turmoil of that fateful day.
The Split Moment: 5 3
As visitors traverse approximately 204 feet along this somber path, the memorial reaches a crucial juncture known as “5 3.” Here, five strips continue breathing, symbolizing the survivors who carry their scars, both visible and invisible. The remaining three strips ascend towards the heavens, a solemn salute to the three lives abruptly taken. This poignant intersection invites visitors to pause and reflect on the suddenness and shock of that moment, the abrupt shift from hope to heartache.
The Silent End: 3
Reflection
Continuing beyond the “5 3” point, the three ascending strips culminate at a width of three feet, each foot a silent marker of a lost life. At this final destination, visitors are enveloped in a space of profound silence, a place where time seems to stand still. Here, amidst the whispers of the garden, one can sit or walk along these paths, each step a tribute, each moment a meditation on the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit.
Emotional Continuities: Invisible Connections
As the strips navigate the garden, they subtly cross fountains and pedestrian paths, creating moments of emotional continuity. These invisible connections remind us that the journey of grief and healing is often unseen yet deeply felt. The memorial’s design ensures that these transitions evoke a sense of introspection, compelling visitors to ponder the invisible threads that bind us all.
Purpose and Impact
The “8 5 3” memorial is crafted with three core principles in mind
1 / Honoring and Remembering
Each element of the design is a tribute to the lives taken, the wounds endured, and the strength of the survivors. It stands as a permanent reminder of the events of February 13, urging us to honor and remember.
2/ Healing and Reflecting
The memorial provides a sanctuary for both individual and collective reflection. It offers a space where one can process grief and find solace, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of nature.
3/ Community Building
Beyond remembrance, the memorial fosters a sense of unity and resilience. It is a cornerstone for ongoing community strength, a place where bonds are forged and nurtured.
