Jerusalem-based artist to present art of children of Holocaust survivors

Tuesday, November 3, 2009, By News Staff

Jennifer Russo
(315) 443-4751

FriedmanJerusalem-based artist Ayana Friedman will visit Syracuse University on Nov. 3-5 to discuss Holocaust teacher education programs and the art of the children of Holocaust survivors, culminating with a public presentation on Nov. 4. Her visit is sponsored by SU’s School of Education; Professor Emeritus Joan Burstyn; and the Regional Holocaust and Genocide Initiative: Resistance, Resilience and Responsibility—a Chancellor’s Leadership Project.

“We are excited to have this visit from Ayana Friedman,” says Burstyn. “She provides new insight into the ways that history has been transmuted into art by the descendants of Holocaust survivors.”

Friedman’s body of work includes performance art, photography and sculpture, and themes often addressing social issues. Her latest efforts have been working with video installations. Her most recent work portraying Anne Frank was installed in Budapest. Friedman has lectured widely and has curated shows in Israel and the United States.

In addition to her scheduled meetings with School of Education faculty members involved with the Holocaust teacher education program, Friedman will meet with graduate students in the Museum Studies Program in the College of Visual and Performing Arts to discuss her international work as a curator.

While in Syracuse, Friedman plans to visit with curators of several galleries along the Connective Corridor, including the Warehouse Gallery and the Delavan Art Gallery.

Friedman’s visit culminates with a presentation, “Between the Stripes—Building a New Tomorrow: Art of the Second Generation to Holocaust Survivors, ” Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. in the Lender Auditorium of the Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life. Her talk will address her own work and the work of other artists who are children of Holocaust survivors. A show of these works, including Friedman’s, has recently been exhibited in Tel Aviv, Berlin and Budapest. Friedman’s presentation is free and open to the public.