Posted on 02/20/2004 7:59:26 PM PST by TopQuark
Swastika Artwork Removed From Exhibit Fri Feb 20, 5:05 PM ET
OSLO, Norway - A painting that featured the words Israel and the United States — and replaced each S with a Nazi swastika — was removed from an art exhibit Friday after it infuriated a Holocaust survivor and other Jews.
Andreas Engelstad, owner of the Galleri A Minor in Oslo, said the Israeli Embassy demanded that the painting be removed, but that it was the reaction of other Jews that prompted his decision to withdraw it.
"I took it down not because of the embassy, but out of respect for victims of the Holocaust," he told The Associated Press. "One of the victims called me and said they were hurt by the painting."
The work by Norwegian artist Chris Reddy was part of an exhibit entitled "Anti-Semite in the Name of God."
Its removal came a month after a dispute between Israel and Sweden over an exhibition in Stockholm that enraged the Israeli ambassador there.
That exhibit showed the picture of a Palestinian suicide bomber, and so outraged Israeli Ambassador Zvi Mazel that he tried to damage it by throwing a light fixture at it.
Infuriated only a Holocaust survivor and other Jews, but nobody else. This is precisely how Holocaust has happened. Of course, afterwards most Germans acted really suprised...
"I took it down not because of the embassy, but out of respect for victims of the Holocaust," he told The Associated Press. "One of the victims called me and said they were hurt by the painting."
What a liar: if one has any decency, can one not deduce that "Anti-Semite in the Name of G-d" would be hurtful BEFORE anyone says so?
And nobody gives a d-mn...
"I put it up originally because my cool, elitist, anti-semitic friends thought it would be funny, but it hurt sales so I took it down," he said.
FYI, I am a Jew who WAS offended by the Brooklyn Museum exhibit and wrote a letter to the editor about it at the time. I am impressed, however, by your bitterness and generalizations.
Have a nice day.
And why should they? Given Norway's history during the Holocaust, a piece of "artwork" is the least of that people's values. I am dismayed by the removal of the artwork. I prefer knowing who my enemies are...getting them out from under their rocks....
My comments were intended to show the hypocrisy of the elitist left who have no trouble defending as "art" the most base exhibitions even if (or especially if) it denigrates Christianity or white male european culture. The article did not mention any of these elitists saying even a single word in defense of "art" when it (rightly) offended non-Christians. A definite double standard.
not keen on that part- I'm not fond of "demands" regarding speech/art etc.
I'd rather see someone commit civil disobedience, destroy the dreck, wait for the cops to show up, go to trial, and take whatever sentence was handed down.
Kind of like flag burning. The governmnet shouldn't prohibit it...but it should gaze with understanding upon someone who intervened to stop it.
While I agree with the stated intentions above, would you mind pointing out how I could come to that conclusion based on your statement below?
That wouldn't have offended any holocaust survivors, only Christians, and we all know they don't count for anything.
I was unable to see your point because of your assumption about Holocaust survivors. Was that reasonable on my part?
The article did not mention any of these elitists saying even a single word in defense of "art" when it (rightly) offended non-Christians. A definite double standard.
True, but that's not what you said, was it? Unless you think all Holocaust survivors are "liberal elitists" by definition. Perhaps you feel that they all believe "Christians don't count for anything"?
Let's cut the cr@p. Christianity is taking a lot of loathsome abuse from "artists"...The Last Temptation of Christ" and the Brooklyn exhibit...and from other liberals. I can understand your resentment and bitterness, and agree that we all need to fight any double standards. I just think you're wrong in expressing yourself the way you did. It seems to me you're venting rather than trying to convince people of the truth of your position.
Preach it!
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
Pastor Martin Niemöller
Anti-semitism is rising all over Europe. This is also occuring due to the alliance between neo-Nazis and militant Islamists, who are joined by their anti-Semitism.
Please provide evidence for your claims regarding the beliefs of Holocaust survivors.
the big mystery to me in this world is how do Jews think they will survive if they don't move to protect the rights of Christians as well...
Israel for example, as a Jewish state, protects the rights of Christians.
Odd comment. If you oppose the NEA it's not the Jews you should be thinkabout, rather the Republicans. Rather than responding (unless you've done this already) read the following thread, then make your views known to the President, your Congressman and your Senator, phone or mail best, next fax and EMail is better than nothing.
---------------------------------
NEA gets healthy boost in Bush's proposed budget
President George W. Bush: president@whitehouse.gov
or SWITCHBOARD: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
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If you've got some extra time, you might find the following threads interesting. The same folk above can be contacted.
Jews Urge Christians to Stand Up to Persecution--"Learn from our example," they urge
Vietnam's 'Appalling' Persecution [John Kerry]
Freeper Alert: Sen. KERRY / Communist Vietnamese Killing Off Christains in Central Highlands...
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