“It is good to see that history is still remembered in contemporary times, and that even though time goes on, we are still in the process of remembering and coming to terms with our past,” states Senior, Thomas Caruso.
By Stephanie Wytovich
Staff Writer
“It is good to see that history is still remembered in contemporary times, and that even though time goes on, we are still in the process of remembering and coming to terms with our past,” states Senior, Thomas Caruso.
The current exhibition that is being held at Seton Hill University’s (SHU) Harlan Gallery is a photography expose created and constructed by artist, Ben Golden. The display opened on October 1 and it is titled Remnants and Remembrance-Berlin 2005. This presentation of stark realistic photography is being held in juxtaposition with The Ethel LeFrak Holocaust Education Conference that runs from October 25-27.
Golden’s work will be shown until October 29, 2009, and docent tours are currently available if anyone is interested.
When one walks into the gallery, he or she will be introduced to a carefully selected group of photographs that Golden took in Berlin during the year 2005. Commenting on his work, Golden stated that “Berlin today is so aware of its horrendous history that everywhere there are remnants, reminders, memorials, and displays to educate today’s Germans as to what their ancestors did. Berlin is also striving to recapture its intellectual and artistic past. It is reflected all over the city, in its most remote sections.”
His pieces carefully document the remains of the Holocaust that were left upon the city, while giving the viewer a feeling of past emotional content that was done in a contemporary way. For instance, in his one piece “The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe-Students Reading at Memorial-Berlin 2005,” the viewer can experience the mediation that the students are experiencing while looking at the memorial and reflecting on the tragedies that took place decades ago.
Here, we have students in modern day dress, exploiting their individuality, not caring if the person sitting next to them is Jewish, Catholic, or Protestant. The photograph shows that everyone is linked together and that it is possible to reunite on a positive level of commitment even after the atrocities of our past.
According to the SHU website, Golden has donated two large bodies of his work to both the university and the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education. Senior, Ashlan Luft, feels that Golden’s exhibition “relates well to the university and to the presences of the Holocaust Center in the sense that it brings a present-day feel to the students, and allows them to interact with the pieces and with each other on a insightful basis.” Senior, Molly Huffman, elaborated on Luft’s feelings by stating that “It’s both captivating and interesting how present day Germany is coming to terms with its past.”
Gallery Hours for the show are Monday – Thursday from 5-8 p.m., Friday 1-3p.m., and Sunday 1-4p.m. or by appointment. The following exhibition titled Women in Art 2009 will open on Sunday, November 1, from 1-4 p.m.
“Might it not be…that we also have appointments to keep in the past, in what has gone before and is for the most part extinguished, and must go there in search of places and people who have some connection with us on the far side of time, so to speak,” stated W.G. Sebald.
