Institutions

In the article "Mirroring Evil, Evil Mirrored: Timing, Trauma, and Temporary Exhibitions," Ressa Greenburg discusses the controversial exhibition Mirroring Evil: Nazi Imagery/Recent Art. The exhibitions provided an unconventional view of the Holocaust. As Greenburg writes, "In Mirroring Evil, viewers are surrounded by Nazi imagery and left without any sense of certainty about how to respond to hitherto taboo images of Hitler, games about the Holocaust, and the sexual tugs of Fascism" (104). I feel that taking on this exhibition was a brave and commendable act. However, it brought about much criticism. It also raised many questions.

In "The Curator's Moment" Michael Brenson writes about the role of the curator and raises questions about the role of museums and artists in society. Brenson writes, "How did we reach the point where we expect art to respond to the needs and aspirations of peoples and nations?...Why have the expectations for art increased at a time when the individual artist is feared, not only in the United States but in many other countries as well..." (58). Perhaps it was partially this fear of the artist that caused such an uproar over Mirroring Evil. Art has the ability to begin dialogue and raise questions. Mirroring Evil brought up the questions that Brenson addresses. As Greenburg writes, "In a time of terror, imploding the exhibition rhetorics of two genres that once promised transcendence reopened a series of questions many would prefer to believe closed: How can a museum offer hope? How can a museum be a moral force? How can a museum contribute effectively to societal change? The lack of definitive answers may be another reason for the anger that Mirroring Evil attracted" (117). The fear that these questions raise may pair with anger at the fact that they come without answers.