Where?
The Fritz Heckert district in Chemnitz was built in the 1970s as a large housing estate. After reunification, social decline and vacancies allowed extremist groups to settle there. The NSU core trio lived in the area for two years, planning attacks and committing robberies to finance their activities. Despite Chemnitz’s close connection to the NSU, no memorial for the victims existed until this project.

Why?
At the end of 2021, the housing cooperative EINHEIT contacted us to design one of their façades. During research and meetings with local experts, we decided to focus the mural on the victims’ lives, at a site closely linked to the NSU’s activities. We engaged with the families through intermediaries to ensure their participation and guidance.

How?
In summer 2022, families were asked to suggest objects representing their murdered relatives’ lives, professions, or aspirations. These objects were incorporated into a collage that formed the mural’s design. The design process took a year of constant consultation. For families who did not participate, we selected representative objects in close collaboration with intermediaries. Seven families contributed directly, making the final mural a collective work of our team and the victims’ families.

What?
The mural In Our Midst creates a space for remembrance, highlighting aspects of the victims’ daily lives through familiar objects such as backpacks, flowers, laptops, or cars. The title emphasizes that the victims were part of our society and invites viewers to connect with them on a personal level. It underscores our responsibility to remember, respect, and uphold justice, reminding society to stand against extremism and violence.