Israel's ambassador to Sweden destroys artwork in Stockholm museum

Haaretz ^ | 1/17/2004 | By Haaretz Service and Reuters

[eclectic]

STOCKHOLM - Israel's ambassador to Sweden destroyed an artwork depicting a Palestinian suicide bomber in a Stockholm museum on Friday, Swedish radio reported on Saturday.

The art installation, entitled "Snow White and the Madness of Truth," consisted of a rectangular basin filled with red water on which floated a boat carrying a portrait of Hanadi Jaradat, who killed herself and 21 others in an attack at the Maxim restaurant in Haifa on October 4.

Ambassador Zvi Mazel was among the guests at the opening of the Historical Museum's exhibition linked to an international anti-genocide conference to be held in Stockholm from January 26 to 28.

Public service SR radio news said Mazel furiously ripped out electrical wires attached to the art work and threw a spotlight in the basin.

"This was not a piece of art," Mazel told SR. "It was a monstrosity. An obscene distortion of reality."

The artists who created the installation are Dror Feiler an Israeli who resides in Sweden, and Gunilla Skold Feiler, his Swedish wife. Feiler, who described the ambassador's actions as "vandalism" was to have performed at the exhibition, but announced that he would not perform as long as Mazel was present, Israel Radio reported. Museum director Kristian Berg then requested that Mazel leave, and escorted him out of the exhibition hall.

Berg said he realized the installation may have been emotional for Mazel, but that destroying art was unacceptable.

"If you don't like what you see, you can leave the premises," he told SR.

Israel has demanded that the museum remove the art installation, Israel Radio reported.

[eclectic]

Well, this ambassador has earned his day pay IMHO

[Travis McGee]

How about a big green can of Zyklon-B, surrounded by roses? "Hey, it's art!"

[Burkeman1]

Berg said he realized the installation may have been emotional for Mazel, but that destroying art was unacceptable.

Art? Would it be "art" to show Jews being gassed in nice pinks and purples while guards hold flowers and smile? Disgusting. That bitch is in Hell right now and her torment will never end.

[dagnabbit]

How about a big green can of Zyklon-B, surrounded by roses? "Hey, it's art!"

I'm sure some euro-filth "artist" is putting the finishing touches on that one right now.

[goldstategop]

Bump! For once I love to see a diplomat skip protocol.

[TYVets]

An aquarium, water, red dye, a kids toy for the bath tub and a picture of a murderer of 21 people!

Sounds like the type of "fine art" US taxpayers have been soaked for.

Are they sure this was not an irate Swedish taxpayer?

A quick trip to Walmart and the monstrosity is up and running.

The exhibit was linked to an international anti-genocide conference,,,,,,,, US dollars to the UN at work.

[monkeyshine]

It is perfectly appropriate to destroy that piece of 'art'. I can't think of anything more fitting, really. Not out of spite, or because I disapprove of it... but because the art represents chaos and violence, and destroying it in a museum is perfectly apropos. It has a sense of rich irony, the destruction of it is itself a work of art. Performance art, if you will.

[wretchard]

That's the kind of response the "artist" didn't expect. Whatever he says, he now knows that the free ride is over. Some time back a man took a sledgehammer to Margaret Thatcher's statue because he was enraged. Well, rage goes both ways.

[primeval patriot]

October 4th, At least 19 people were killed and 60 wounded when a woman suicide bomber blew herself up in a restaurant in the northern city of Haifa at around 2:15 P.M. on Saturday. A number of children are among the dead, and six of the wounded are in serious condition.

source

Euroscum heroine

[Blue_Ridge_Mtn_Geek]

This was simply the ambassador's artistic response to this art - - - similar to The Who destroying their instruments at the end of their concert (an equally appropriate conclusion to their artistic efforts). No problemo. The museum curator should get over it - - that's the way art is these days.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Gosh, what an evil looking wench!

[livius]

Why am I not surprised that the "artist" was an Israeli?

Israel appears to have the same problem we do, which is that everyone who considers himself an artist has to adopt far left political positions and hate his own country.

[ovrtaxt]

Cool. For once, a government employee does something right!

[primeval patriot]

I thought she was an attractive young woman. Except for the semtex belt.

[LanaTurnerOverdrive]

Sorry but this is vandalism and the ambassador should be prosecuted. Don't like the "art?" Then go away. The "artists" broke no laws and have every right to express themselves in any legal way that they see fit. The museum has every legal right to display what they see fit. The ambassador, on the other hand, does not have the legal right to destroy anything he chooses merely because it offends him. I'm surprised that so many FReepers here are condoning the illegal destruction of property. Of course, all those ELF scum should get the gas chamber for defacing SUV's. Hypocrites.

[Timesink]

I agree with you, LTO. This guy had no right to destroy the thing. But my guess is that most Freepers are simply happy to see the shoe on the other foot for once, more than they openly support such actions. At least, I hope that's what they're feeling.

That said, I can't think of too many jobs that rank higher on the "Most Likely To Cause Mental Breakdowns" scale than Israeli ambassador to Sweden.

[eastforker]

I remember the after blast pic of her head on the floor.

[primeval patriot]

Torching an SUV is for bored suburban kids.

When an "artist" celebrates mass murder with his multimedia installation, don't be suprised when adults take offense.

[csvset]

Zvi Mazel, diplomat of the year. He could claim that the "art", (trash), "inspired" him.

[LanaTurnerOverdrive]

That said, I can't think of too many jobs that rank higher on the "Most Likely To Cause Mental Breakdowns" scale than Israeli ambassador to Sweden.

WAY too funny....and quite true.