Mediaboss Marketing

We all know that history can teach us lessons, and that diving into the darkest parts of our history is necessary to avoid repeating it.

The curator of a Central New York art collective is hoping that an exhibit detailing the censorship of artwork in Nazi Germany can cut through some of the discourse here in the U.S., where conversation on both sides of the aisle is focusing on potential ways of limiting various forms of expression.

If I remember correctly the building was built in 1926, Peter Svoboda, curator of the Station Art Gallery told us as he walked us upstairs to where the gallery is housed in one of Syracuses iconic historic buildings. It was part of the train complex and this was the freight building.

As we discuss the buildings history, we arrive at an exhibit dedicated to one of the darkest periods of world history.

When I was in Germany three years ago, I came upon six pictures in the Munich museum, he said. These were in one of the shows in 1937 that Hitler sponsored called the Great German Art Show. All of the art was realistic.

He says in 1937, these examples of how Adolf Hitlers government felt art should be presented were juxtaposed with examples of modern art across the street. The modern installment being called the Degenerate Art Show. The idea was to show the German people what was an acceptable for of expression, and what wasnt.

Across the street was modern art, and that bothered Hitler and the Nazis and some psychiatrists quite a bit because it wasnt realistic art, he said.

His research found that not only was the art mocked, shamed and ultimately banned but the artists themselves were persecuted.

Many of the artists here were sent to concentration camps, he said. Most of their art was destroyed, and many of them were even killed.

He stresses that Hitler came to power during a low point in Germany, where post-war sanctions and the Great Depression meant morale was low.

He built the Autobahn, he started to rebuild the Armed Forces, and this gave people jobs, he said.

Svobodas extensive research links that economic rebound to Hitlers ability to control apopulation desperate for stability, and how limiting forms of expression and independent ideas was a large part of that process.

Especially where art all of a sudden was used as a massive political propaganda tool, he said.

He says most people have an understanding of the ultimate atrocities of the Nazi regime, but he hopes that here in the U.S. people on the left, right and everywhere in between will defend their freedom of expression, and he hopes the exhibit can help them understand how not preserving that freedom can lead to unimaginable consequences.

The whole basis of democracy is based on the ability for people to express themselves, and art is a major way to express yourself and also to have an effect on culture, he said.

The exhibit can be seen at the Station Artist Collective Gallery on Burnet Ave. in Syracuse, it is open indefinitely and you can find out more information about hours by visiting their website or Facebook page.

Excerpt from:
CNY art exhibit explores impact of censorship on art - Spectrum News