Schmerzpfaden

Schmerzpfaden is a contemporary art project that explores the intersections of personal trauma, collective memory, and physical landscape. Created by the German artist Lucia Kessler, the series began with a site‑specific installation in the abandoned St. Morgan quarry in 2021. Each “Schmerzpfad” consists of a winding gravel path lined with illuminated stone markers that reference historical events or individual narratives associated with the site.

The concept derives from the German term Schmerzpfad, meaning “pain path,” and draws on traditions of memorial walks found throughout Europe. Kessler’s work invites visitors to move slowly along the path, engaging with audio‑visual documentation and textual excerpts that encourage reflection on how trauma is embedded in geographic spaces. The installations often incorporate reclaimed materials, symbolic gestures, and interactive elements that allow participants to contribute their own stories.

Schmerzpfaden has been exhibited in several European venues, including the Kunsthalle Hamburg (2022), the Museum of Contemporary Art in Basel (2023), and the Dia Center for the Arts in New York (2024). Critics have noted the project’s capacity to merge aesthetic form with ethical inquiry, prompting discussions about the role of art in healing and remembrance. The series continues to be expanded, with a forthcoming installation planned for the ruins of the former Eastern Railway station in Prague.