Phillip Schwartz's Holocaust-themed artworks were to be shown at Hudson Hall. Schwartz withdrew his participation after the venue chose to add a "Muslim perspective" to the Holocaust exhibition.
It is tragic that Hudson Hall decided that there is an equivalence between the Holocaust and Israel's war with Hamas, declaring, in effect, that both are genocides and therefore the same. There is much that is detestable about the current Israeli administration and much that is awful about the deaths in the current war. But it is quite a stretch to claim it is genocide.
Do you suppose that a "Muslim perspective" might have included reflections on Muslim support for the Holocaust during World War Two? Or the attempt by Mulism countries after that was to wipe Israel from the face of the earth? Not likely.
Congratulations to Phillip Schwartz for deciding to withdraw from the Hudson Hall exhibition. But thank you for describing the work. I think I would have liked to see it.
It is not only "tragic" as Michael Saltz commented but it is also despicable and a quasi Holocaust denial attempt. The exhibit was dedicated to the Holocaust and not to current events. It was not about the Armenian Genocide, the eviction of Native Americans from North America, the Crusades or any other event in which large numbers of people were killed. In fact, if the director of Hudson Hall, Tambra Dillon, would consult a dictionary she would gain the knowledge that the Holocaust is a word describing a unique event, namely, the genocide of European Jewry by the Nazis during World War II. No Armenians, no Native Americans, no Uyghurs; JUST JEWS. If any Muslim perspective is given about the Holocaust, it would have to be one of 2 thoughts. One, current views by many Muslim leaders/Imams that the Holocaust never happened (Holocaust deniers) or, two, Muslim collaboration with the Nazis (e.g. Mohammad Amin al-Husayni, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem).
My guess is that Tambra Dillon knows all this and just wants to avoid any demonstrations for showing artistry about the Holocaust, as such demonstrations are common in the world of the "elites," without regard to actual events on the ground or to peer-reviewed history.
The public and Tambra Dillon are losers; Phillip Schwartz is the only winner for having the courage in not selling his soul down the river.
To anyone who has been turning to sources outside the U.S. & Israel,the funder/partner & perpetrator of the massive bombing , seige and starvation of Gaza and atrocities in the West Bank, it is more than painfully obvious---it is indisputable---that a genocidal ethnic cleansing is well underway. Just because there happens to be a special name for the Nazis genocide of Jewish people in the 20th century, genocide is genocide and horrific, no matter who the perpetrators and who the victims; we are all human. It is completely appropriate for Hudson Hall to bring in a Muslim/Palestinian perspective for this event. Mr. Schwartz could have had his exhibition--it was he who cancelled it. It could have been an opportunity to have uncomfortable, but necessary and important conversations, which, in my humble opinion, Mr. Schwartz would have been good to welcome. I am with Hudson Hall on this one.
It is tragic that Hudson Hall decided that there is an equivalence between the Holocaust and Israel's war with Hamas, declaring, in effect, that both are genocides and therefore the same. There is much that is detestable about the current Israeli administration and much that is awful about the deaths in the current war. But it is quite a stretch to claim it is genocide.
Do you suppose that a "Muslim perspective" might have included reflections on Muslim support for the Holocaust during World War Two? Or the attempt by Mulism countries after that was to wipe Israel from the face of the earth? Not likely.
Congratulations to Phillip Schwartz for deciding to withdraw from the Hudson Hall exhibition. But thank you for describing the work. I think I would have liked to see it.
Michael- be sure to see Phillip’s work on view at Christ Church on Union Street, catty-corner from the post office, on view through February 11.
Will do. Maybe on Friday.
It is not only "tragic" as Michael Saltz commented but it is also despicable and a quasi Holocaust denial attempt. The exhibit was dedicated to the Holocaust and not to current events. It was not about the Armenian Genocide, the eviction of Native Americans from North America, the Crusades or any other event in which large numbers of people were killed. In fact, if the director of Hudson Hall, Tambra Dillon, would consult a dictionary she would gain the knowledge that the Holocaust is a word describing a unique event, namely, the genocide of European Jewry by the Nazis during World War II. No Armenians, no Native Americans, no Uyghurs; JUST JEWS. If any Muslim perspective is given about the Holocaust, it would have to be one of 2 thoughts. One, current views by many Muslim leaders/Imams that the Holocaust never happened (Holocaust deniers) or, two, Muslim collaboration with the Nazis (e.g. Mohammad Amin al-Husayni, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem).
My guess is that Tambra Dillon knows all this and just wants to avoid any demonstrations for showing artistry about the Holocaust, as such demonstrations are common in the world of the "elites," without regard to actual events on the ground or to peer-reviewed history.
The public and Tambra Dillon are losers; Phillip Schwartz is the only winner for having the courage in not selling his soul down the river.
To anyone who has been turning to sources outside the U.S. & Israel,the funder/partner & perpetrator of the massive bombing , seige and starvation of Gaza and atrocities in the West Bank, it is more than painfully obvious---it is indisputable---that a genocidal ethnic cleansing is well underway. Just because there happens to be a special name for the Nazis genocide of Jewish people in the 20th century, genocide is genocide and horrific, no matter who the perpetrators and who the victims; we are all human. It is completely appropriate for Hudson Hall to bring in a Muslim/Palestinian perspective for this event. Mr. Schwartz could have had his exhibition--it was he who cancelled it. It could have been an opportunity to have uncomfortable, but necessary and important conversations, which, in my humble opinion, Mr. Schwartz would have been good to welcome. I am with Hudson Hall on this one.