"Warm Greetings to Art": Navigating Expectations and Uncertainties
In the heart of Be'er Sheva, Israel, the empty pedestal where the sculpture "Double Face" once stood serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing quest for peace. The artwork, created by Israeli artist Shlomo Hanai, is currently missing, and its disappearance has left a void not only in the local community but also in the hearts of those who believe in the power of art to promote understanding.
Arno Gerlach, chairman of the Friends of Be'er Sheva association, has been a vocal advocate for cultural and social exchange between Be'er Sheva and Wuppertal since the twin city partnership's inception in 1977. Standing before the empty pedestal, Gerlach expresses his disappointment at the loss of this significant piece of art.
"Double Face" is a powerful representation of the shared plight of Jewish families threatened with death and Palestinians trapped in Gaza, struggling with starvation and death. The sculpture, with its haunting imagery, serves as a poignant message to the world: "Never Again!"
Gerlach is not alone in his sentiments. Another Israeli artist, Tal Zfani, created a sculpture depicting a family huddled together surrounded by barbed wire. This piece, too, has moved Gerlach, symbolising the resilience and hope that lies within the hearts of those who strive for peaceful coexistence.
The loss of "Double Face" comes at a time when peace between Israelis and Palestinians seems elusive. The Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023, was a traumatic event for Israelis, a deep shock after centuries of persecution and the Holocaust.
Despite the challenges, Gerlach continues to encourage efforts to "plant" peace, even if it doesn't seem like the fruits will be reaped. He welcomes the current statement by the Rhine Church on the war in the Middle East, and their criticism of the construction of settlements by radical Jewish settlers.
The Evangelical Church in the Rhineland also condemns Israel's blockade of aid deliveries to Gaza and calls for efforts to end the occupation and for both sides to respect international humanitarian law. Germany's participation in an airlift of food and medicine from Jordan to the needy Palestinians in Gaza is seen by Gerlach as a "sign of goodwill."
As the search for "Double Face" continues, the community in Be'er Sheva remains hopeful that the sculpture will be found and returned. In the meantime, the empty pedestal serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for peace and the importance of continued efforts to promote understanding and coexistence.
- Arno Gerlach, while expressing his disappointment, believes that the loss of 'Double Face' sculpture leaves a void not only in Be'er Sheva's local community but also in the hearts of those who see art as a means to promote 'understanding'.
- The sophistication of 'cultural travels' is evident in the partnership between Be'er Sheva and Wuppertal, as advocated by Gerlach since 1977.
- The 'wartime' imagery of 'Double Face' and other poignant pieces like Tal Zfani's, serve as reminders of the ongoing 'conflicts' and the struggle for 'peace'.
- Gerlach embraces political statements, like the one from the Rhine Church on the war in the Middle East, as well as humanitarian actions such as Germany's airlift of food and medicine, viewing them as gestures of 'goodwill'.
- The 'disappearance' of 'Double Face' and the ongoing 'search' for it highlights the importance of 'preserving' significant art pieces that symbolize peace and promote 'coexistence'.
