Bare Life Exhibition at Museum on the Seam Censors Own Content
The 'Bare Life' exhibition at the Museum on the Seam in Jerusalem ran from October 2007 to August 2008, addressing issues of freedom and identity under threat. However, it encountered self-censorship and the removal of significant artworks. Artur Zmijewski's video '80064' (2004), featuring Auschwitz survivor Josef Tarnawa, was taken down shortly after the opening, leaving staff in disbelief. Palestinian artists chose to boycott the event due to its failure to condemn the Occupation, resulting in the absence of Taleb Dweik's painting 'Dignity'. The exhibition did showcase Haim Maor's 'Silhouettes of Birkenau' (2001) and Gaston Zvi Ickowicz's settlement photographs (2003-2006), but the missing Palestinian contributions and Zmijewski's video rendered it incomplete and less engaging.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Bare Life' at Museum on the Seam, Jerusalem, October 2007 to August 2008.
- Artur Zmijewski's video '80064' (2004) removed after opening; shows Josef Tarnawa, 92, having Auschwitz number retattooed.
- Michel Gherman, marketing coordinator, said staff were shocked by the video.
- Palestinian artists boycotted for not explicitly denouncing Occupation.
- Taleb Dweik's painting 'Dignity' absent; he declined curator Raphie Etgar's invitation.
- Catherine Yass's video 'Wall' (32 minutes) included.
- Haim Maor's 'Silhouettes of Birkenau' (2001) projects camp shadows on nude back.
- Gaston Zvi Ickowicz photographed settlements before/after dismantlement (2003-2006).
- Gilat Efrat's 'Ansaar Camp' (2002) shows Ketziot detention center.
- Other artists: Jürgen Waxweiler, Kendell Geers, Josephine Meckseper, Paul McCarthy, Katarzyna Jozefowicz, Bill Viola.
Entities
Artists
- Artur Zmijewski
- Josef Tarnawa
- Taleb Dweik
- Catherine Yass
- Haim Maor
- Gaston Zvi Ickowicz
- Tsibi Geva
- Adi Nes
- Gilat Efrat
- Jürgen Waxweiler
- Kendell Geers
- Josephine Meckseper
- Paul McCarthy
- Katarzyna Jozefowicz
- Bill Viola
Institutions
- Museum on the Seam
- Coexistence Museum
- Auschwitz
Locations
- Jerusalem
- Israel
- West Bank
- Gaza Strip
- Negev Desert
- Ketziot
- Birkenau
Sources
- artpress —