  We introduce a gravitational lattice theory defined in an AdS$_3$ black hole
background that provides a holographic dual description of the linear-to-zigzag
structural phase transition, characterized by the spontaneous breaking of
parity symmetry observed in, e.g., confined Coulomb crystals. The transition
from the high-symmetry linear phase to the broken-symmetry doubly-degenerate
zigzag phase can be driven by quenching the coupling between adjacent sites
through the critical point. An analysis of the equilibrium correlation length
and relaxation time reveals mean-field critical exponents. We explore the
nonequilibrium phase transition dynamics leading to kink formation. The kink
density obeys universal scaling laws in the limit of slow quenches, described
by the Kibble-Zurek mechanism (KZM), and at fast quenches, characterized by a
universal breakdown of the KZM.
