This Storm Is What We Call Progress
The Storm Is What We Call Progress if a new exhibition at London's Imperial War Museum by Israeli born artist Ori Gersht. He often deals with issues of conflict, history and geographic place within his works. The three central pieces of this exhibition disguise dark and complex themes beneath the beautiful imagery. "Will You Dance For Me?" Shows an 86 year old dancer rocking back and forth in a chair as she slowly recalls her experiences as a young woman in Auschwitz. She was punished for refusing to dance at an SS officers party and had to stand bare foot in the snow. She pledged to dedicate her life to dance if she survived. This video was perhaps one of his pieces that haunted me the most. The woman's pain filled face of terrifying memories as she rocked back and forth brought about feelings of agonising insanity. The film "Evaders" spans across two screens and explores the mountainous path of the Lister Rout, used by many to escape Nazi occupied France. The film focuses on Jewish writer and philosopher Walter Benjamin, whose own words give the exhibition it's title. The photograph "Chasing Good Fortune" examines the shifting symbolism of Japanese cherry blossoms, which came to be linked with Kamikaze soldiers during the second world war.
image avalible at:
http://crggallery.com/2012/01/ori-gersht-at-the-war-museums-london-25-january-2012-to-29-april-2012/. Last visited 24th Apr 2012
http://www.iwm.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/local/722_EvadersGnuineFractal.jpg. Last Visited 24th Apr 2012.
http://www.artknowledgenews.com/09_05_2011_01_06_16_ori_gershts_films_and_photography_at_the_santa_barbara_museum_of_art.html. Last Visited 24th Apr 2012.
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