Stripes
As previously mentioned, I'm currently volunteering with Ben Uri on their "Out of Chaos" centenary exhibition at Somerset House. Their collection has a specific focus on Jewish emigre art. On Friday, I was wearing a stripey shirt.
Woman: Are the stripes deliberate?
Me: It's basically what I had in my wardrobe.
Woman: I just thought it might be deliberate. You know, because the Jews wore stripes at Auschwitz.
For the avoidance of doubt, Ben Uri have not asked for my attire to mimic the clothing worn by the victims of genocide. I reckon that any commentary on The Holocaust should be left to the handful of works in the expression that address that particular subject. I'm not sure that "The Fat 27 Year Old Bearded Man In The Striped Pajamas" would have been quite so compelling a story.
I suspect such an idea might have been a stumbling block in procuring financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. All told, it's one of the more extraordinary things someone has said to me during my time working with the general public.
Next week, I may wear a stripey shirt purely in celebration of the Japanese rugby team's remarkable performance in confounding the odds by defeating South Africa. I caught the last 20 minutes of the match, which was sporting drama at its very best. They had two opportunities to kick for goal for the three points that would have delivered the draw, but spurned them for an opportunity to dive over for an extraordinary last gasp try in the corner. It's a pleasure to see at least one side in red and white playing with desire at the moment. Ahem.
Woman: Are the stripes deliberate?
Me: It's basically what I had in my wardrobe.
Woman: I just thought it might be deliberate. You know, because the Jews wore stripes at Auschwitz.
For the avoidance of doubt, Ben Uri have not asked for my attire to mimic the clothing worn by the victims of genocide. I reckon that any commentary on The Holocaust should be left to the handful of works in the expression that address that particular subject. I'm not sure that "The Fat 27 Year Old Bearded Man In The Striped Pajamas" would have been quite so compelling a story.
I suspect such an idea might have been a stumbling block in procuring financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. All told, it's one of the more extraordinary things someone has said to me during my time working with the general public.
Next week, I may wear a stripey shirt purely in celebration of the Japanese rugby team's remarkable performance in confounding the odds by defeating South Africa. I caught the last 20 minutes of the match, which was sporting drama at its very best. They had two opportunities to kick for goal for the three points that would have delivered the draw, but spurned them for an opportunity to dive over for an extraordinary last gasp try in the corner. It's a pleasure to see at least one side in red and white playing with desire at the moment. Ahem.
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