© 2024 XY ANKA MIERZEJEWSKA

Project: Memorial for Lives Lost to Depression

"The pain of severe depression is quite unimaginable to those who have not suffered it, and it kills in many instances because its anguish can no longer be borne."

Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness by William Styron

Depression is a silent epidemic, often invisible yet profoundly real. It affects individuals across all walks of life, regardless of external circumstances. In economically developed countries, where material needs are often met, the prevalence of depression and its tragic outcomes, including suicide, is particularly alarming. This paradox inspired my project: to honor those who have lost their lives to depression. I created three symbolic graves on a beach in Italy—a setting that epitomizes leisure and beauty. The graves were placed amidst sunbathers, juxtaposing the serenity of the environment with the stark reality of mental health struggles. The installation was brief. Within minutes of its creation, a small bulldozer, belonging to the landowner, leveled the graves back into the sand. This act, while erasing the physical presence of the memorial, underscored the very issue it sought to address: the tendency to overlook or erase the realities of mental health challenges in societies that appear idyllic. Through this work, I aim to provoke reflection on the often-hidden nature of depression and the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health issues in all communities.