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9,000 Sand Sketches Take Over Normandy Beach

By erika - September 25, 2013

in Sustainable Design

In a tribute to International Peace Day (September 21st), British artists Jamie Wardley and Andy Moss of Sand in Your Eye took a team of 60 volunteers to Normandy beach over the weekend to sketch the outlines of 9,000 soldiers figures into the sand. The installation was created to commemorate the people who lost their lives on June 6th, 1944 and is appropriately titled "The Fallen 9,000."

According to design website Colossal, what started with the artists and 60 volunteers grew to an effort including 500 local residents who jumped in to help after seeing what was going on.

The end result was fleeting and was washed away by the tide after a couple of hours. But these photos most definitely do the project justice:

Hat tip to Colossal and Lustik

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Enez James

10 years ago

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I was there several years ago and I was VERY moved. Walking through the cemetary was an emotional experience. Today it is so nice and peaceful and overlooks the sea. that it is hard to imagine what happened here.
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Cesar Maderazo

11 years ago

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Every American should visit this place at least once in their life. This is Omaha Beach where the Americans suffered the most. Best time to go there is the last 2 weeks of May to first 2 weeks of June before vacationers start coming in, and in the morning when the tide is low. High tide is in the afternoon so entire beach is under water. But remember June 6th would be very busy every year. Don't forget to visit the American Cemetery nearby. If you have time visit the whole place from Honfleur all the way to Cherbourg.
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Vicky Fuller/Mougenot

11 years ago

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A nice gesture 69 years later. The French actually asked the American soldiers to return to their homeland shortly after the the War. This act was mainly because some soldiers wanted to remain there in Normandy and had already started small business's. The French Government asked that the American soldiers leave appropriately and they did however the French President "Thanked Them." My mother in law owned the Bellevue, which was a three terrace restaurant right there facing those imprints on that beach. The German's occupied her hotel and restaurant in Normandy, Le Havre, and the American's saved their lives. Unfortunately, I'm divorced now after two and a half decades of marriage to a Frenchman I truly understand the relentless act of ungratefullness. As I understand a peaceful - peace of art. Thank goodness humans decided to replicate the War Heros. My canine would have left increments of sandy brown paste for the French.
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john

11 years ago

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I am deeply moved and impressed by a shocking yet beautiful way to remember sacrifice. It is increasingly difficult to communicate and educate young people today, but this can do it. I wish I was there to contribute to the work. This should re peat every 6/6 to commemorate the unflinching courage and sacrifice so many made in that war. What I was impressed with the most was the simple method of inscribing the temporary , similar to drawing on the sand as a child. This captures the eternal beauty of the human spirit and the sadness of the human condition . I will never forget . Well done all!!!!!
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Susan Broderick

11 years ago

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What a beautiful and powerful tribute to the brave men who lost their lives at Normandy. My Dad, Everett Abbott, flew C-47's on D-Day with the 94th Troop Carrier Squadron. God bless all of our service men & women. This is a powerful reminder that our freedom is never free and should never be taken for granted.
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Douglas Coffman

11 years ago

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I heard the interview on Oregon Public Radio with the artist that does these huge pieces of art. Listening to him give his insite on what his creation was about and understanding what he was thinking was just simply wonderful! Some day I to would like to participate in something like this! Lets simply learn from our mistakes and failures to be better overall!
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Donna Bonnoitt

11 years ago

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So moving and overwhelming. God bless all our service men and the sacrifices they make for our freedom and safety.
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Dolores

11 years ago

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This is such a beautiful effort. My son, who is 47, has been obsessed with D-Day for a number of years, so I went with him to the beaches 4 years ago. It changed my life. And this remembrance is a chilling reminder of the horrors of war and what has been sacrificed for our freedom.
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DelServ Dawg

11 years ago

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Uncommon art that touched my soul. Simple, elegant, and rememberant!
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Louise Perrault

11 years ago

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My father is a Normandy suvivor also. Made me think of him. Too bad he isnt around anymore to see this wonderful piece of history.... Love you dad....
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sara harrison

11 years ago

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i was shocked to see this! its a great way of remembering heros! there is only a few inchs between each body it really makes you think!
rip the 9000 heros!
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Mike Cecil

11 years ago

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Today would be my day's 89'th birthday and I was thinking of his service during 'the big one' - they never spoke of the hardship and horror. Thanks for reminding me of their sacrifice.
May my dad and all the brave vets rest in peace.
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Nan

11 years ago

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I truly admire the creativity and humanism of the artists and all the people involved in this masterpiece. Thanks to these people, all those young and touchable lives that existed but vanished on this beach, once again appeared vividly not only on the landscape, but also etched into my consciousness. Then, just as the article mentioned, the ocean took everything away into its deepness once again afterwards. I almost failed holding my tears.
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Shannon

11 years ago

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Such a moving and beautiful demonstration of both the destruction of war and power of peace and community. Thank you, All, for the concept, effort, and photos.
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Isobel McQueer

11 years ago

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My father in law survived the Normandy landings and my father was a marine on the landing craft. If they were alive now they would probably simply say 'Thank you for remembering'. Neither of them EVER talked of it and my father did not even admit to being there.

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P. D. Daniels

11 years ago

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I cannot remember a move moving collection of photographs. The 9,000 remembered on the beaches of Normandy brought tears to my eyes. As a lover of history, this is truly an immense gesture to help people never forget those who sacrificed their all for us. One can only hope it will remind citizens everywhere of what the late George Santayana said; "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Thank you for this gift.
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