Previous Message Return to Archive 2004 Next Message

Archive Number 3592

Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 18:51:29 -0500
From: Noa Baum
Subject: Re: An abused Story


Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Dear Limor,
I'm a little confused. is the story written like this on the installation?
for those of us who're not paying attention, what was the reaction of=20
the Israeli ambassador?


At 9:33 PM +0200 1/19/04, Limor Shiponi, Interpersonal Arts wrote:
>Hello to you all, close and far,
>
>
>
>It has been a long time since I have participated in global cyber=20
>storytelling discussions. I just don't have the time but I'm keeping=20
>track. Yet, on this occasion I just can't hold it.
>
>
>
>This posting has a somewhat political nature to it. It can also=20
>expose you to an act that might abuse the story of Snow white for=20
>you. If you choose to stay innocent, please do not read any further.
>
>
>
>--------------------------
>
>
>
>I'm sure many of you have already heard about the Israeli=20
>ambassador's reaction to an installation standing in the historical=20
>museum in Stockholm. You may agree or disagree with his reaction,=20
>but my letter to you is about the abusing of a story and the=20
>destructive power of storytelling when it joins with propaganda in=20
>the name of art.
>
>
>
>The installation has a text that comes with it. The text follows=20
>these words. Another text there is a list of the names of the people=20
>killed in that attack. It is worth nothing when placed next to=20
>something so powerfully metaphoric. Like saying something you don't=20
>really care for or mean, just because it might be something you=20
>could point at as a "balancing element".
>
>
>
>To those of you that have not seen the installation: A large=20
>portrait photograph of the homicide bomber (a beautiful female face)=20
>attached onto a pole sticking out of a little white boat floating=20
>upon a large pool of blood (red paint). The lights shine on the=20
>blood and the whole reflection has a "magical" and mysterious=20
>feeling to it. Like something out of fairy tails.
>
>
>
>The text:
>
>
>
>Snow White and The Madness of Truth
>17/01 - 07/02
>Plats: Historiska Museet
>
>
>Installation
>
>Once upon a time in the middle of winter
>For the June 12 deaths of her brother, and her cousin
>and three drops of blood fell
>She was also a woman
>as white as snow, as red as blood, and her hair was as black as ebony
>Seemingly innocent with universal non-violent character, less=20
>suspicious of intentions
>and the red looked beautiful upon the white
>The murderer will yet pay the price and we will not be the only ones=20
>who are crying
>like a weed in her heart until she had no peace day and night
>Hanadi Jaradat was a 29-year-old lawyer
>I will run away into the wild forest, and never come home again
>Before the engagement took place, he was killed in an encounter with=20
>the Israeli security forces
>and she ran over sharp stones and through thorns
>She said: Your blood will not have been shed in vain
>and was about to pierce Snow White's innocent heart
>She was hospitalized, prostrate with grief, after witnessing the shootings
>The wild beasts will soon have devoured you
>After his death, she became the breadwinner and she devoted herself=20
>solely to that goal
>=EEYes=EE, said Snow White, "with all my heart=EE
>Weeping bitterly, she added: "If our nation cannot realize its dream=20
>and the goals of the victims, and live in freedom and dignity, then=20
>let the whole world be erased"
>Run away, then, you poor child
>She secretly crossed into Israel, charged into a Haifa restaurant,=20
>shot a security guard, blew herself up and murdered 19 innocent=20
>civilians
>as white as snow, as red as blood, and her hair was as black as ebony
>And many people are indeed crying: the Zer Aviv family, the Almog=20
>family, and all the relatives and friends of the dead and the wounded
>and the red looked beautiful upon the white
>
>
>
>
>
>I'll leave the analysis to you (I've done mine). For me, the story=20
>of "Snow White" is abused forever. I wonder what the German=20
>ambassador will feel like after he sees that "work".
>
>
>
>With great sadness, Love, Limor, Israel.
>
>-------------------------------
>To Unsubscribe from Healingstory send the message: unsubscribe healingstory
>to: listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
>-------------------------------

Noa Baum
13 Devon Road
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 587-3558
cell: (703) 244-1938
http://www.noabaum.com
noabaum@earthlink.net

-------------------------------
To Unsubscribe from Healingstory send the message: unsubscribe healingstory
to: listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
-------------------------------