“An Amazing Spectacle” – Shadows of Shoah’s, River of Tears
Shadows of Shoah’s new exhibition River of Tears will complete its season in the Gold Coast on December 2.Queensland’s Dr Michael Shnukal commented on the work: “The producers have obviously spent an inordinate time with each of the survivors, to have been enabled enough opportunity to hear their stories, to feel their sadness and to experience their emotions. To have been able to photograph the storytellers without posturing and to have captured in photography that which may not have been evident in a movie medium.”
Queensland survivor George Stein Photo: Perry Trotter
River of Tears is the work of NZ artist Perry Trotter and interviewer/researcher Sheree Trotter. Since 2008 they have been photographing and interviewing Holocaust survivors based in Queensland, Melbourne, Sydney, New Zealand, Israel and USA.
River of Tears takes its name from the Hebrew Prophet Jeremiah’s Lamentation over the destruction of his people: O wall of the daughter of Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night. The work uses kinetic elements to allude to tears, bricks and a wall, and uses the sounds of the railway system that played such a crucial role in the Holocaust. These are choreographed with excerpts of survivor stories using powerful black and white portraiture and original music.
Queensland survivor Leo Pomeranz Photo: Perry trotter
River of Tears builds on the success, concepts and stories of Shadows of Shoah Exhibition, an exhibition launched by NZ Prime Minister John Key at a United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day event in 2013. Shadows of Shoah has toured art galleries, museums, and public spaces throughout New Zealand since its debut.
“I wonder if Perry and Sheree have an idea of what they have done?” said Shnukal. “They have changed the face of the “usual” depiction of Holocaust survivors from one of often-horrific scenes, to one of profound reverence and humility. Do they know how powerful their vision is? Do they know how privileged their audience is to witness these tales, that the power of the non-spoken word is deafening?”
River of Tears is staged at Temple Shalom Gold Coast. For bookings and enquiries, email Michael at tsgcpres1@gmail.com or call him on 0407 018 898. The work is cosponsored by Sydney Jewish Museum and Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies.
