The Journey from Lithuania to New York: The Art of Conscience and Resistance
The Journey from Lithuania to New York: The Art of Conscience and Resistance By what sign does the Almighty choose people to protect the weak? In the halls of the Jewish Museum of New York, soft light falls on the walls where canvases full of anxiety, compassion and inner fire hang. It seems that the paintings themselves breathe - sometimes with a restrained protest, sometimes with a quiet prayer, sometimes with a cry that breaks through the decades. In the silence, you can hear the whisper of history: the voices of those who were muffled, the steps of exiles, the looks of people who did not live to see justice... And the guide to this world is the artist Ben Shahn, a man who knew how to turn paint and line into weapons of truth. Ben Shahn (September 12, 1898 – March 14, 1969) was an American artist whose name is forever inscribed in the history of art. He is known as a master of social realism, an ardent defender of humanistic values. His life and work are symbols of the struggle for justice, mercy and civil liberties. Ben Shahn is not just an artist, graphic artist and photographer, but also an uncompromising public figure whose art could not be separated from his political convictions. Born in Kovno (now Kaunas, Lithuania), he was the son of a courageous and principled man who opposed war and autocracy. In 1906, the family emigrated to the United States to escape merciless repression. Growing up in an Orthodox Jewish family on the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, shaped his strong character and thirst for justice. Starting out as a lithographer, he realized that art could be not only beautiful but also socially significant – a mirror of the era and a weapon against injustice. During the Great Depression, Shahn's piercing, disturbing canvases spoke of poverty, discrimination, persecution, and human tragedies. Series dedicated to high-profile trials raised pressing questions of justice and the problem of xenophobia. He collaborated with Mexican artist Diego Rivera on a mural for Rockefeller Center that was ruthlessly destroyed by censors for its bold depiction of the contrasts between the rapacious greed of capitalism and the dream of social equality. After World War II, Shahn received international recognition, but in the dark era of McCarthyism, he found himself under the watchful eye of the FBI, blacklisted and threatened with interrogation. His active participation in the anti-nuclear and pacifist movements only increased the pressure. But he, as a true knight of truth, did not betray his convictions. That is why his canvases contain not only figures, but also the word Vote. In the 1950s, the artist created his own allegorical language – mysterious masks, accusingly extended fingers, symbolic constructions, palimpsests of texts and images. This became an artistic response to the era of fear, repression and the looming nuclear threat. He experimented with form, but remained true to content: his canvases were not abstract plays of color and line, but visual manifestos of conscience. His soul - bright, indomitable, full of compassion - shone brightly in American art, becoming a source of inner strength. He continued the tradition where humanism and social justice are intertwined with a prophetic voice calling for mercy, turning all this into the language of art - a bright flame illuminating the path for those who have lost their voice. In 1954, he represented the United States at the Venice Biennale. He called his work "nonconformist art" - art that does not flatter or play with the public, but demands that the truth be faced. This exhibition is not only a look back, but also a powerful reminder of the power of an artist who became a voice for those who could not speak for themselves. And perhaps it is precisely now, when the world and American society are filled with anxiety and divided, that it is especially important for us to hear this voice. It sounds from the depths of the 20th century, but its intonations are recognizable today: it is a call to conscience, to human dignity, so that in the noise and chaos of our time we do not cease to see those who need help and protection. Marina Lagunova
Date Added: 08/15/2025 |
Last Updated: 08/15/2025 |
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Charity event in support of children of Ukraine People have been dying for three years now - without reason, without meaning. This is not a war for ideas, because both Russians and Ukrainians are Christians, in my opinion, brothers and sisters. Many wars in human history have arisen for religious reasons, but this one is fratricidal and inhumane, with the use of the most modern weapons. The terrible bloodshed continues, and the list of victims gets longer every day. It is hard for me to look at the photographs of Kharkov, where my brother, a doctor, lives. My second brother lives in Kyiv. They were not evacuated because people need them. I was honored to meet the mother of fallen American soldier Andrew Weber, who became an advocate for veterans and refugees. She was presented with a portrait of her son, painted by artist Tatyana Khoroshko. Carla Weber is a representative of the American Mothers group. Her son, like other American volunteers, went to Ukraine to fight evil. Unfortunately, Andrew Weber's daughters, Gwyn and Vera, are now growing up without a father. And how many Ukrainian children have been orphaned! It should not be like this. . . Renowned American journalist Mitzi Perdue, known for her unwavering support for Ukraine, was also honored. Perdue is the daughter of the founder of Sheraton hotels, and her late husband Frank Perdue is the founder of a famous poultry empire. She auctioned off her emerald engagement ring for $1.2 million in support of Ukrainian defenders and spoke of her deep respect for the Ukrainian people. "Even in the darkest times, a small light can make a difference," Perdue said. "Tonight, we come together to shine that light." It was not just a concert, but rather a memorial event. Guests made donations for the children of Ukraine, and the children present helped them. In the hall there were Ukrainian servicemen with serious injuries, amputations of limbs, who are undergoing rehabilitation in Philadelphia. An elegy was performed dedicated to the artists who died in the war. The photographs on the screen spoke for themselves: • Artem Datsishin - ballet star, died; • Yuri Kerpatenko - conductor, killed; • Vasily Slepak - opera singer, died in battle; • Alexander Shapoval – ballet dancer, died; • Anton Somov - ballet dancer, killed; • Masha Lebed, Sergey Shkvarchenko and many others. I remembered Pavel Kushnir, a soloist of the Birobidzhan Philharmonic, a Jewish pianist, writer, and dissident who died in a Russian prison while on a hunger strike. In December 2024, an international fund and scholarship named after Pavel Kushnir was established in Israel by Russian and foreign artists. The list goes on. To the music of Miroslav Skoryk it seemed that even the air in the hall was screaming and crying. The event was opened by Lyudmila Fesenko, Honored Artist of Ukraine, who has lived in New York for 30 years and performed at Carnegie Hall and other famous halls. Honored Artist of Ukraine Victoria Vennikova, Honorary Ambassador of Kharkov in New York, performed songs in Ukrainian and French. Drawings by children from Ukraine, sent to Victoria, were exhibited in the theater lobby. All the performances were very touching. Alexander Chaplinsky accompanied the singer Goga Guladze on the piano. It is symbolic that Ukraine and Georgia were close, supporting each other in the fight for freedom. Emily Cohn and Wilson from Philadelphia presented unique ballet numbers against the background of dark clouds. Yuka Iseda performed "The Dying Swan", personifying all the horror of what was happening. It's not just people in Ukraine who are dying. I can't hear without pain about the 1,400 victims of the terrorist attack at a music festival in Israel. There are still hostages, the search for the dead continues. Children... our children... Ukrainians, Americans and Israelis have created a psychological assistance program. People need communication to overcome psychological trauma. Children do not know how to deal with fear and loss. They have been deprived of their childhood. Yoga, joint gymnastics, tea ceremonies, individual and group sessions help to bring back their smile, at least for a moment. Children should not say: "You know how a dog cries..." Michael Kaplan, a representative of the Czech consulate, was present at the event. Americans and representatives of charitable organizations raising funds for children's programs in Ukraine were awarded certificates from the Assembly, which were presented by Assembly member Mikhail Novakhov. It was touching. There were many caring people in the hall: Lyudmila Gladkovitser, lawyer Tanya Segal, Mara Khanukov, Svetlana Zelinskaya, Yuri Viderman and others. But people of good will, like me, still want this fratricidal war to end. For the hostages to be released in Israel. The selflessness of Israel's defenders commands great respect, especially when young men come from different countries to defend their land. And how hard it is to realize how many lives wars have already taken. Marina Lagunova
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