Close Menu
  • Home
  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Travel
Trending

‘Real-life Wolf of Wall Street’ ordered to pay back £64m in biggest ever order

June 21, 2025

‘My Egyptian toyboy husband swore me off sex at 86 – but I won’t divorce him’

June 21, 2025

Turkish President Erdogan warns against ‘new Sykes-Picot order’ in the Middle East

June 21, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
Se Connecter
June 21, 2025
Euro News Source
Live Markets Newsletter
  • Home
  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Travel
Euro News Source
Home»Culture
Culture

American Photographer Nan Goldin Critiques Gaza Conflict at Berlin Exhibition Opening

News RoomBy News RoomDecember 1, 2024
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Copy Link Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram

At the opening of her exhibition “This Will Not End Well” at Berlin’s Neue Nationalgalerie, American photographer and activist Nan Goldin delivered a fiery speech condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza. The 71-year-old artist expressed her “moral outrage,” characterizing the situation as a form of genocide, which resonated with some attendees but drew criticism from German cultural figures. Her remarks coincided with the International Criminal Court’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli leaders accused of war crimes, heightening the significance of her comments. Goldin, leveraging her Jewish heritage and family history of escaping pogroms, invoked the past to illuminate her present-day concerns for Gaza, drawing parallels that stirred both support and dissent.

Goldin emphasized the necessity for a clear distinction between criticism of Israel and antisemitism. She warned against conflating these concepts, recognizing how untenable it was for critics of Israeli policies to face repercussions or ostracism, such as canceled exhibitions in Germany. Her speech posited that historical lessons of genocide prevention, encapsulated in the phrase “Never again,” applied not just to Jewish experiences of the Holocaust but to all victims of oppression. She admonished Germany for its handling of protests supporting Palestine, highlighting the dangerous juxtaposition between the country’s claims to honor human rights and its treatment of the Palestinian diaspora, often deemed unwarranted in conversations around these issues.

As Goldin concluded her address, the audience erupted in chants of “free, free Palestine,” effectively overshadowing the subsequent speech from Klaus Biesenbach, the director of the Neue Nationalgalerie. This demonstration of solidarity underscored the emotional intensity of the moment and introduced tension into the event, as cultural figures grappled with the implications of the discourse surrounding Israel-Palestine relations. Hermann Parzinger, president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, publicly denounced both Goldin’s remarks and the audience’s disruption, questioning the alignment of such behavior with ideals of freedom of expression.

While Biesenbach expressed disagreement with Goldin’s views, he reaffirmed the importance of upholding her right to free speech. This interplay of respect for individual expression and the complexities of the dialogue surrounding Israel and Palestine reflects the broader societal tensions present in contemporary conversations about art, politics, and cultural responsibility. German Culture Minister Claudia Roth characterized Goldin’s opinions as “unbearably one-sided,” signaling a fissure in how her comments were received and interpreted within cultural institutions.

Goldin’s retrospective exhibition serves as a crucial exploration of her artistic journey, illustrating her commitment to activism through her work. The integration of slideshows and films, accompanied by music, allows for a multidimensional experience that weighs heavily on the themes she presented in her speech. Born in Washington D.C., Goldin’s notable acclaim is evident not only in her photography but also in her cinematic portrayal in the award-winning 2022 film “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed,” which chronicles her life’s work amid activism and artistic exploration.

The contrast between Goldin’s heartfelt appeal and the pushback from German cultural leaders encapsulates a broader conversation about art and social justice. The eruption of chants and the critique of artistic dialogue may reflect the shifting landscape of cultural discourse, prompting questions regarding collective accountability in the face of global conflicts. Goldin’s message serves as a poignant reminder that history’s lessons on humanity’s moral obligations remain essential, urging audiences to reflect on their roles in advocating for justice for all marginalized communities.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email

Keep Reading

Never-before-seen Picasso ceramics surpass expectations at auction in Geneva

Culture June 20, 2025

‘Wonderful and strange’: David Lynch possessions fetch record sum at auction

Culture June 20, 2025

Coldplay to re-issue albums on records made from recycled plastic bottles

Culture June 20, 2025

Euronews Culture’s Film of the Week: ’28 Years Later’

Culture June 20, 2025

Death of French rapper Werenoi sparks debate about music and Islam

Culture June 19, 2025

Iranian Palme d’Or winner Jafar Panahi calls for toppling of Tehran regime

Culture June 19, 2025

Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh bailed over terror charge in London

Culture June 18, 2025

Cancelled ‘Beauty and the Beast’ retelling ‘finally’ gets released in France

Culture June 18, 2025

Kneecap debut London billboards ahead of ‘witch hunt’ terror court appearance

Culture June 18, 2025

Editors Picks

‘My Egyptian toyboy husband swore me off sex at 86 – but I won’t divorce him’

June 21, 2025

Turkish President Erdogan warns against ‘new Sykes-Picot order’ in the Middle East

June 21, 2025

‘I’ve taken both my kids out of school during term-time – this is why system is flawed’

June 21, 2025

Red Arrows flightpath mapped – exact time you could see display above your house

June 21, 2025

Latest News

Jack Betts dead: Friends and Spider-Man actor dies at home in his sleep, family announce

June 21, 2025

Israel-Iran conflict enters its second week with fresh attacks despite Geneva talks

June 21, 2025

Fewer pilgrims and falling rates: Rome’s Jubilee tourist rental boom fails to materialise

June 21, 2025

Subscribe to News

Get the latest Europe and World news and updates directly to your inbox.

Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest Instagram
2025 © Euro News Source. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below.

Lost password?