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Saturday 26 May RNW - NEWS AND ANALYSIS FROM THE NETHERLANDS IN 10 LANGUAGES, WORLDWIDE 24/7 ON RADIO, TV AND ONLINE

Joint portrait of Anne Frank and Adolf Hitler

Published on 13 January 2011 - 5:50pm
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A painting showing a semi-nude Adolf Hitler and a smiling Anne Frank is "in poor taste". The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam on Thursday criticised a Singapore art fair for exhibiting the art work. It was made by an Indonesian artist who says his work is meant ironically. The canvas shows Hitler with a tattoo similar to the one the Nazis used to brand millions of prisoners in concentration camps.

The artwork is one of a series of paintings exhibited under the umbrella title of 'Last Judgment'.

Director Ronnie Naftaniel of the Amsterdam-based Israel Information and Documentation Centre told us:
"This is the umpteenth artist trying to attract attention by using something revolting from WWII which is guaranteed to raise people's anger. It makes me sigh. It's tasteless. Few people in Singapore will be aware of the [1940-1945] war in Europe, so they may feel less pain. But it is regrettable that yet another artist has managed to become headline news without any artistic achievement to show for it."

(rk/imm)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Discussion

Frances Alleblas 24 January 2011 - 12:52pm / Holland/Singapore

I've seen this painting at Art Stage last week and was very disgusted by it. Confused as well. I asked about the artists intentions, as I thought I might misinterpret the work. Even though the artist apparently tried to 'punish' Hitler by giving him a female body (?) and producing Jewish children, I still felt the work being absolutely tasteless, disrespectful, and on top of that, not sending out the message the artist intended. I am happy to find so many people reacted in a same way to it. As an artist, I feel embarrassed that this great art show in Singapore, showed such tasteless work.

Anonymous 14 January 2011 - 2:25pm / Lalaland

This makes me sick to death, and I would like to vomit on that mentally deranged sleazy and mingy jerk who dares to call himself an artist.To hell with him and his vomity "art"!

Ellyn Cook 14 January 2011 - 1:19am / Netherlands

Hear, hear to Ronnie Naftaniel and the Anne Frank Huis's comments. Such a painting is in such poor taste that it should not be considered as art but rather abuse. It is not ironic but revolting because it is insulting to the memory of the many millions who suffered the atrocities of persecution during Hitler's reign as well as to those who work hard to educate against racism and discrimination.

Ellyn Cook 14 January 2011 - 1:17am / Netherlands

Hear, hear to Ronnie Naftaniel and the Anne Frank Huis's comments. Such a painting is in such poor taste that it should not be considered as art but rather abuse. It is not ironic but revolting because it is insulting to the memory of the many millions who suffered the atrocities of persecution during Hitler's reign as well as to those who work hard to educate against racism and discrimination.

Ellyn Cook 14 January 2011 - 1:16am / Netherlands

Hear, hear to Ronnie Naftaniel and the Anne Frank Huis's comments. Such a painting is in such poor taste that it should not be considered as art but rather abuse. It is not ironic but revolting because it is insulting to the memory of the many millions who suffered the atrocities of persecution during Hitler's reign as well as to those who work hard to educate against racism and discrimination.

Vera Gottlieb 13 January 2011 - 9:35pm / Germany

It could not get any more tasteless, could it? What depraved idiots would not do in order to gain "fame" and notoriety.

Anonymous 13 January 2011 - 8:32pm / Lalaland

I agree with Ronnie Naftaniel. This is disgusting, dismal, offensive, repugnant, revolting, abominable, vile and sickening.

Anonymous 13 January 2011 - 8:30pm / Lalaland

I agree with Ronnie Naftaniel. This disgusting,dismal,offensive,repugnant, revolting,abominable, vile and sickening.

David Berridge 13 January 2011 - 7:22pm / Canada

the entire concept and premise behind this work is completely unacceptable!!

jazart 13 January 2011 - 6:32pm

in poor taste!

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