But some argue solidarity with Palestine requires speaking through art
In a major show of solidarity with the Palestinian people, five Indian artists have announced their intention of boycotting a major show of Indian art in Israel. The show titled “Deconstructing India” is scheduled to be mounted at the Tel Aviv State Museum in the spring of 2012.
The boycott by Nalini Malani, Anita Dube, Amar Kanwar, Sakshi Gupta and Pushpamala N. is in line with the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel — PACBI – that was launched in 2004 by a group of Palestinian academics and intellectuals. The campaign is supported internationally by John Berger and more than 90 leading authors, film-makers, musicians and performers.
The Indian chapter was formed in June 2010. Vivan Sundaram, Ayisha Abraham and Pushpamala N. were its signatories along with many leading academics and cultural practitioners. The boycott of the Tel Aviv show has been initiated by Ms. Pushpamala, who is trying to garner support from all the invited artists who are still confused and not ready to take a stand as yet.
The theme of the show is as much a cause for concern for the boycotting artists as the venue. "Some artists feel that we should keep cultural spaces separate from politics. However, the curatorial note of “Deconstructing Israel” is itself political. It speaks of colonization, partition of India and creation of Israel which are all political events", says Ms. Pushpamala. "The artists have been chosen because they “deconstruct stereotypes”. We are not deconstructing stereotypes for fun or interior decor, but to make a political, institutional and social critique".
She added that it would be very difficult for Palestinians to see the Indian show as they will have to pass through various blockades and security checks while the Israeli soldiers are given free passes by the Tel Aviv Museum and would form a major part of the audience.
The Indian art fraternity is, however, divided on the boycott. While Bhavna Kakar, gallerist and editor of an art magazine, is showing unconditional solidarity “to validate Palestinian concerns”, Vivan Sundaram, who is not among the artists invited to Tel Aviv, isn’t convinced by the wider boycott. “I endorse Berger’s appeal because the atrocities on Palestinians are so frighteningly inhuman but I don’t understand a blanket boycott on artistic and cultural activities. If the participating artists had these concerns, then they shouldn’t have committed to show their works in the first place. Moreover, artists should make a statement through their works and not by such boycotts.”
Subodh Gupta, who has been invited to participate in the show, echoes Mr. Sundaram’s sentiments. “I have a soft corner for the Palestinians but I am not for boycotting art and culture. If I refuse to show here, I shouldn’t have shown my works at the U.S., U.K. and China either because I disagree with some of their foreign policies. I shouldn’t be showing in India either because the Indian government couldn’t bring our beloved Husain back home before his death. It is mean to be individual in art and I find it rather a most interesting time to fight for Palestinian causes through our works.”
Since the Tel Aviv Museum is state run, the government machineries of Israel and Palestine aren’t refraining from making statements either.
David Goldfarb, Spokesman, Embassy of Israel says matter of factly, “Culture and art are designed to enhance understanding between people and to bring them together. In democratic societies, differences of opinion should be dealt by open discussion and not by avoiding one another. Those who mix art with politics do not in any way help solve the conflict but rather deepen it. Artists should come, show their works, criticize, talk to the media but not keep the conflict going.”
Mr. Goldfarb’s sentiments trigger laughter in Zuhar Hamdallah-Zaid, the Deputy Chief of Mission in the Palestine Embassy here. He asserts, “Israel should give Palestine its due rights. India and Palestine have gone through similar situations. It’s not strange that India is supporting Palestine. Even universities in Britain are boycotting Israel. It has been 18 years that they have been trying to negotiate with us on the issue of a Jewish state. They are taking our land daily. Only a day ago they again killed two Palestinians near Jerusalem. How can they expect that our voices won’t be heard anywhere?”
Keywords: Deconstructing India show, Tel Aviv Museum, boycott of Israel, PACBI
India has always enjoyed close ties with Israel, and Israeli people also hold India in high regard. It is unfortunate that we are mixing up arts with politics. This could have been a great platform for India to spread a message of global well being. By boycotting the show, the artists do not necessarily reflect the opinion of several Indians who consider Israel to be a friend. Just as it is considered important to continue to allow cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan, the same logic would also apply to our dealings with Israel. Or else, if the logic of this boycott is to be accepted, then India might as well sever cultural relations with many western countries because they have all committed atrocities on Muslims worldwide.
@ Navi Reyd,
Ok. Native Americans existed long before the "arrival" of Colombus...so let's kick out all the whites faces from Americas, don't you think so ?
Ancient Israel existed before the birth of Jesus Christ. The Muslims are in Palestine by subsequent conquests and forced conversions of the local people to Islam.
This is not a mere tokenism and their courage to stand up to the rouge country which enslaves the native people from their own land. No human with right mind would support the ongoing Gaza blockade.
While the corporate giants and right wing politicians are only looking at making business elsewhere without even an iota of concern about the atrocious cruelty on innocent Palestinian civilians, I am happy to hear that the artists have shown their opposition.
Stick to principles no matter what. The USA and Israel are unprincipled and out for themselves. There are jews and americans who are anti-zionist. Join them in this endeavour. Just like apartheid Sth Africa, Israel will relent - boycottting is an expression of Ghandian passive resistance. It must be supported. The Indian Government and the Indian people are different entities. Just because Indian Government is in cahoots with the USA and Israel States it doesn't mean their peoples are as well. PACBI. Well done!
Really it is appreciated to boycott to participate in the ART Show. Israel Government not only killing the innocent people and they are occupying the Lands of the Innocent Palestnines. All of which are supported by the World Leader? American Government. It force us to Think - America will never enter its nose to any country without any PROFIT. We Indians must have to Aware about that. Aware of America and Save our Coming Generation.
The opinion Venkat expressing is simply brutal. India was not a country looking only its well being by making all other people in vain. The name India became great because of its great stands from the ancient time onwards. It has many rishis and gurus who taught the righteous path, and defenitly right path is against evil. More over if we take the history of Israel: by using their secret agents an intelligence, they have destroyed all the places where they got entrance. Hence re-think before expressing such opinions and try to be pure Indians.
Some of the so called liberals, didn't find the need to boycott Fai's organization inspite of many reports in print media in past of his cozy relationship with pakistan's establishment but they the find the need to boycott art show just because it happens to takes place in Israel, Israel has done many wrongs in past even recently during Gaza war it has killed many civilians and used white phosphorus but is the boycott of art show in Israel is the real answer? is this the way to show solidarity to Palestinians? i am sorry to say, this is mere tokenism.
I'm an Israeli, living in Tel Aviv. Let me just tell you that the majority of people in this city abhor the Israeli occupation, and hope to see it over, we even go and fight with soldiers and get arrested from time to time. The actions of he Israeli government do not reflect the state of mind of the common citizen. Think of corruption in your state and you'll understand our frustration. To the Idian artists: Coming to Israel and establishing a dialog is better than avoiding contact, you'll be surprised at what you see and hear.
Congrats!!! More courageous than the Indian Government.
I salue the audacity of the artists. I once again realise that the Indians are not blind to the atrocities committed by Israel on its own citizens. The artists have expressed soidarity with the palestanianas and raised their concern in the right manner.
Is the show titled 'Deconstructing India' or 'Deconstructing Israel' as mentioned in the report. Finally it appears that the world is waking up to the attrocities commited by Israel on Palestenian civilians. More such moves to boycott Israel both culturally and politically will force Israel to reconsider its 'Occupation Policy'.
The boycott is unfortunate and wrong. It is a result of wrong thinking, wrong priorities and unhelpful emotionalism. This type of thinking is what has always bedeviled India in its international relations and stature. Many years ago, India was at the forefront of lobbying for a seat in the UN for China. This lobbying continued even after China went to war with India in 1962. Today, China sits as a permanent member of the UN and is India's arch opponent there! So much for our 'principled' stand on a seat for China! More pointedly, in both the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, we never received any sympathy from the Palestinians or the Arab world, most of whom actually condemned India! It is time that Indians become more hard headed and less emotional in their dealings. Sympathize with the Palestinians by all means, but not at the cost of your relations with Israel, or at the cost of India's own well being!
I think our artist need to read the history of Jewish Holocaust and emphathize with that nation and its people. Lots of wrong and one sided facts are spread about Israel. Palestinians are and were provided one of the best deals for peace in the history of human-kind for over 20 years. Unfortunately Israel are an extreme minority and so it is not possible for them to consistently communicate their actions. They are about 60 million people fighting indirectly the voice of over 1 billion people. I request our Indian artists to use their art to show the best of Israel and India and then using that goodwill them try to convince Israel to work with Palestenians. I am all for unity. But I have observed Israel closely for over 8 years and I think the Palestinians have not provided the benefit of doubt and are very much in fear. I pray that they can shed that and strive for peace with Israel. It is not too far. I hope that our Indian artist can play a small part in that Unity.
Yet another show of immaturity and tying to appear to make the politically correct noises. Artists, if they really want to 'educate' Israel, should try to do so by taking part in the event and probably showcasing a film on Israel's atrocities. Antics such as these like blanket boycott, 'hunger strike' etc seem to be simply aimed at drawing attention to onself.
You boycotting the show,will it make any difference.The Palestinians themselves do not want to settle their issues and there is no strong leadership there.If the Palestinian people want to have peace they should really work for it stop terror attacks from their soil,sit and talk.
I think Artists should stay away from politics, specially international politics. Govt. of India does not block Artists from Pakistan or any other country due to our differences with them. To me this appears to be a publicity stunt.
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