Gaza is of course everywhere this summer, in America too, and the slaughter is featured in an art installation in a field in the Hudson Valley. Sheilah Rechtschaffer (a friend of the site) has made this resonant sculpture of a wrapped tree, titled Gaza. The show, organized by Collaborative Concepts, opened August 30 and runs through the fall.
Rechtschaffer described the work to me:
A stunted tree remains from last year.
Its awkward shape seems brutal. Life over.
I covered this tree in a white plastic that is used for protecting boats in the winter. I see boats enshrouded in this plastic as I pass on the train to and from NYC. The shrouded tree is a symbol of an uncertain future.
At the bottom of this tree are scattered remains from blown-up buildings. What isn’t there is the blood and the smell.
The decades of this endless conflict go by.The violence increases and the latest news is a ceasefire.
We become either anesthetized or obsessively seek information. We can actually do little. But we can bear witness. We can empathize and we can speak out against this human catastrophe and say “not in our name.” And we can hope that the latest cease fire can lead to justice.
[Photo (c) John Haines]
I asked Rechtschaffer what the reactions to the work were on its first weekend last week. Angry responses?
Not really.
I drove some seniors to the site next to mine and they hung waiting for the artist. I invited them over. They sort of blanched and walked by. But….most people stopped. Most people liked it. I got a few fabulous letters. I know certain people at the farm who STRONGLY disagree with me but there was no mention or discussion which I prefer.
Mostly, I want to reach too without confrontation around the same old issues. That’s why I have been sending out the Jeff Halper article on the Palestinian message to Israel. I sort of stand there pretty direct. I say I’m Jewish. Say I hate anti-semitism but anti-Zionism is not anti-semitism. I say I am ashamed of our policy. I urge them not to be afraid to speak out. It doesn’t mean they are committing treason. Tell them why they hate Bush and applaud Netanyaho. The usual stuff.
The most interesting discussion was with an Israeli women. No changed minds but I clearly said the American support is not there for the picking. And the word about a democracy in Israel where Israeli protesters are beaten up by the police or settlers is not democracy and it’s very scary for their country. Sadly that isn’t on ABC. People are upset and disgusted. Just afraid of speaking. she probably hated me but she engaged…
Jewish heritage, it’s ethical heritage came out of the oppression that Jews suffered. Now it’s a new scene. Jews are no different from anyone else. Not so chosen. And Israel has never acknowledged the basic rights of Palestinians.
Well it’s an old story we can go on and on about.
Profound in every way.
Well done and expressed Sheilah Rechtschaffer.