The narrative follows Bak's poignant journey as he revisits his childhood home, deeply intertwined with memories of loss and survival during the Holocaust. Through his reflections, the book honors the spirits of those who perished, highlighting the artist's commitment to preserving their legacy. It captures the emotional weight of his experiences and the significance of returning to the streets that shaped his early life amidst the horrors of World War II.
Focusing on the innovative artistry of Samuel Bak, this book presents his series "New Perceptions of Old Appearances," highlighting the strength of metaphorical imagination in his work. Filled with vibrant color illustrations, it showcases the versatility and distinctiveness of Bak's artistic style, celebrating his contributions to contemporary art.
Examines the ways in which the Holocaust is portrayed in the arts and history, maintaining that the language used to describe the Holocaust affects society's ability to confront the atrocity
An exploration of the use of Holocaust themes in literature, memoirs, film, and painting. Among the authors that Langer examines are Primo Levi, Elie Wiesel and Art Spiegelman. He appraises the art of Samuel Bak, the Holocaust painter, and assesses the Holocaust Project by Judy Chicago.
A sustained analysis of the ways in which oral testimonies of survivors contribute to the understanding of the Holocaust. The book also aims to shed light on the forms and functions of memory as victims relive devastating experiences of pain, humiliation and loss.
"Langer, by the force of scholarship and literary precision rather than dogmatic affirmation and pathos, is one of the few writers, with the exception of significant poets and novelists, who unsettles both our customary language and conceptual instruments. His book is a moral as well as an intellectual act of a very high order." --Geoffrey Hartman, author of The Longest ShadowIn this new volume, Langer--one of the most distinguished scholars writing on Holocaust literature and representation--assesses various literary efforts to establish a place in modern consciousness for the ordeal of those victimized by Nazi Germany's crimes against humanity. Essays discuss the film Life Is Beautiful, the uncritical acclaim of Fragments, the fake memoir by Benjamin Wilkomirski, reasons for the exaggerated importance still given to Anne Frank's Diary, and a recent cycle of paintings on the Old Testament by Holocaust artist Samuel Bak.
The Samuel Bak Gallery and Learning Center in Loving Memory of Hope Silber Kaplan at the Holocaust Museum Houston is a destination for a richly diverse general public, the country’s academic community, and Holocaust scholars from around the world. Bak’s legacy at HMH is demonstrated through 125 incredibly complex, memory-inciting, and dramatically hued paintings, generously donated to the museum by the artist. The collection contains early paintings he made as a child prodigy in the Vilna Ghetto, works created throughout his early career, and paintings from the twenty-first century. Pears, landscapes, dice, candles, religious iconography, letters of the Hebrew alphabet, musicians, cups, faces and figures, books, buildings, ships, objects so often broken and in disrepair. Through these symbols, Bak paints into being eternal questions about life, loss, love, identity, repair, and responsibility. Viewers grapple with the dilemmas of fathoming the past and making sense of life in the complex world we share. In this publication, which accompanies the exhibit, Holocaust scholar Lawrence L. Langer unpacks and gives context to Bak's dense visual vocabulary. An extensive interview with the artist discusses his process and speaks specifically about each work in the collection.
Exploring the themes of identity and existential inquiry, this book features Samuel Bak's 120 evocative paintings of Adam and Eve, portrayed as travelers and lost souls across different eras. Collaborating with Lawrence L. Langer, Bak delves into the book of Genesis, using rich symbolism to examine concepts of good and evil, and the human responsibility to repair the world. Each artwork invites contemplation on the profound questions surrounding the origins of humanity and our moral choices.
The essays in this collection delve into how language shapes our understanding of the Holocaust's 'deathscape' and 'hopescape.' By analyzing site visits, memoirs, survivor testimonies, and artistic representations, the chapters explore the profound effects these narratives have on our perception of historical atrocities. Langer addresses the pitfalls of embellished and sentimentalized accounts, examining why such misunderstandings persist in public discourse, ultimately inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of memory and representation in the context of trauma.
The latest series of paintings by Samuel Bak showcases his mastery of collapsing visual metaphors through images of cups. His work delves into personal experiences while addressing broader themes of the human condition. Bak's art prompts viewers to reflect on significant questions, making it both relevant and thought-provoking in today's context.
