I grew up in Paris where as an art major and later a trained artist I had access to some of the finest art exhibits and museums in the world. I often went to the Louvre, Beaubourg, The Orangerie and of course the “Musée Du Jeu de Paume” amongst many others. From 1947 to 1986, the Jeu de Paume housed many famous works by artists like Cézanne, Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Renoir and many other Impressionists who greatly contributed to my passion for art. In 1991, the museum re-opened as France’s first museum of contemporary art after its Impressionist collection had migrated to the newly opened Musée d’ Orsay.
To French people and art connoisseurs around the world, the Jeu de Paume has always maintained a classy reputation and yet it also carries the stigma of being a WWII repository art stolen from Jewish estates and selected by Hermann Göring for his personal collection (about 600 pieces). But it recovered after the war and displayed its masterpieces for millions to view.
Today, under its new name of Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, the museum is hosting many contemporary art exhibits from paintings to sculptures to photographs. It seems that the museum made its way to the 21st century as the old French structure continues to invite all modern art forms, and as an artist myself, I welcome and support that wholeheartedly.
I do take offense though when an exhibit crosses the line between art’s freedom of expression and poor taste. I believe that line was just crossed with the opening of a new exhibit by Palestinian photographer Ahlam Shibli titled “Phantom Home” .
While the photographer documents many aspects of the concept of home and the family unit, the last series of photographs in her exhibit, entitled “Death” (68 photos), displays and I would say even “glorifies” Palestinian terrorists. The museum describes it as: “Death”, Ahlam Shibli’s latest photographic series especially conceived for this retrospective, shows how Palestinian society preserves the presence of the “martyrs”—in the artist’s own words. Death contains a broad representation of the absent ones through photographs, posters, graves and graffiti displayed as a form of resistance.
I can hear people quickly come to her defense and say: “but, it’s just art and art might be offensive” ! I agree with that statement because art is an expression that demands reaction of some sort and to generate a reaction you might have to provoke the mind. But art also sends a message of vindication. Let’s face it, I have NEVER painted anything I didn’t like or was against. On the contrary, my desire as an artist is to convey my message through art for other to receive with their approval or lack of. My message nonetheless is still sent.
I do recognize Ms. Shibli’s talent and my intention is not to dismiss all of her photographic work, but:
• When she chooses to paint a societal canvas of Palestinian “martyrdom” and Israeli “Colonialism” I say NO!
• When she sends a message of glorification of death by “desperate” victims who only have their bodies as weapons, I say NO!
• When she portrays murderers as resistance fighters, I say NO!
I say NO because she is painting scenes that are based on lies and that by virtue of becoming art will most likely be perceived as the truth.
Perhaps, we shouldn’t be too surprised to see a Palestinian artist promote such acts, but where is the art in that? Really! What is shocking to me is the fact that such an institution as the Jeu de Paume Museum would host such a display of bigoted propaganda. It is clear to me that by doing such a thing, the Museum is taking a stand in what I see as a continuous attempt at demonizing Israel.
I am always amazed at how the enemy (Satan) will use new creative ways to further deprecate and delegitimize Israel. Politics, Campuses, the marketplace (BDS) and even churches, are fertile grounds for anti-Semitism, but why not add a new venue? Let us use art and museum exhibits to vindicate a message of hatred and add one more major thread to the ever growing web of deceit and contempt against Israel.
While many in this world– and sadly so– have made anti-Semitism into an art form, anti-Semitism should never be the topic of an official museum art exhibit.
Ms. Ahlam Shibli has sent the wrong message!
The Jeu de Paume Museum has endorsed the wrong message!
Society will believe the wrong message!
The shadow of anti-Semitism continues to grow over worldwide Jewry like truth being eclipsed by a postmodern worldview. But like in all cases of eclipses, what appears gone is really only hidden for a time. It is our duty to promote the truth in love, firmly and without compromise but in love. If we don’t, who will? The battle goes on, but God is on our side!
O God, do not remain quiet;
Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.
For behold, Your enemies make an uproar,
And those who hate You have exalted themselves.
They make shrewd plans against Your people,
And conspire together against Your treasured ones.
They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation,
That the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
For they have conspired together with one mind;
Against You they make a covenant
Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.
For behold, Your enemies make an uproar,
And those who hate You have exalted themselves.
They make shrewd plans against Your people,
And conspire together against Your treasured ones.
They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation,
That the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
For they have conspired together with one mind;
Against You they make a covenant
Psalm 83:1-5
What an apropos prayer from scripture!! May we all pray it regularly–and for believers too.
AMEN!!!
Very well written! Amen!