Screaming Women! Jagged Lines!
As I've mentioned, we've been enjoying watching (on DVD) Simon Schama's BBC-produced series "Power of Art". The last episode was about Mark Rothko and his commission for the Seagram murals (June 6, 1958 in this chronology). I still tend towards thinking Rothko overrated but I was happy to hear more about him and his work from a very appreciative viewpoint; I may change my view someday.
But what caught my ear for this little posting was something at the end of the episode about Picasso and "Guernica". (Yes, you might notice that watching that episode provided the inspiration for this week's Beard of the Week.)
"Guernica" is Picasso's masterpiece, a painting of tremendous size (12 by 26 feet) and scope that only seems to accumulate visual power and emotional depth as it ages. (For a short introduction, this from PBS; for a more in-depth introduction, rent the third disk in Schama's series.)
A tapestry reproduction of the painting hangs in the UN, in the hallway outside the security council room. It's a popular spot for holding press conferences.
In fact, it was the spot chosen for Colin Powell's press conference on 5 February 2003 following his disingenuous presentation to the security council about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq (official State Department transcript).
For this occasion–and this occasion only–the tapestry was completely covered by a plain blue curtain. That's the fact. Interpretations range from it was merely to provide a neutral background for television cameras (never been necessary in any previous or later press conferences) to it was another maneuver on the part of the Bush administration to lower the aggressive, war-mongering tone. (For some discussion: David Coher, "Hidden Treasures: What's so controversial about Picasso's Guernica?", Slate, 8 February 2003.) Naturally I side with the latter camp.
Regardless of the reasons, I enjoyed Shama's retelling of the event enough to make this transcription and share it with you.
Here's the old thing, comfortably settled in Madrid, and just when you think it's a magnificent relic–what can it possibly have to say to us in our video-saturated, digitally enhanced age?–something comes along to awaken from these old black-and-white characters the tempestuous force of their original creation.
In February, 2003, the American delegation to the United Nations decided to make its pessimistic case for the likelihood of armed intervention in Iraq.
Colin Powell's presentation to the Security Council was to be followed by a press conference. And then, at the last minute, someone noticed something inconvenient about the location: there was a tapestry reproduction of "Guernica" hanging on the wall.
Oh, dear. Screaming women. Burning houses. Dead babies. Jagged lines!
"Cover it up," said the TV people, "it's too distracting."
So "Guernica" was shrouded by a big blue drape.
The news handlers could have said, "Hold on a minute! We could show the painting. After all, this is what tyrants do: death — suffering — misery!"
But they didn't.
However you massaged it, there was something about the way that damned picture would look on the news that would upset people. Much better to cover it up.
It was, I suppose, the ultimate backhand compliment to the power of art: You're the mightiest country in the world, you can throw your armies around, get rid of dictators, but — hey! — don't tangle with a masterpiece.
[Simon Schama, "Simon Schama's Power of Art: Picasso", BBC, 2006.]
For me I think it's the ambiguity in his use of "tyrants" that really gives this segment its tanginess. Well, that and the bit about "jagged lines"!
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on Wednesday, 14 January 2009 at 00.39
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I'll leave the commentary on colin powell's blue drape background [shirley they could have found neutral backgrounds somewhere else in the building, just move the press conference away from the Guernica tapestry] to others.
I'm more interested in the actual piece of art. I wonder what the faaaabulous Sister Wendy has to say about it?
on Wednesday, 14 January 2009 at 04.13
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That's an interesting anecdote. I'm sure Bush & Co. would've preferred something depicting the battle of the Alamo or maybe an outtake from an old Marlboro man commercial.
on Thursday, 15 January 2009 at 22.52
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I don't know. I can't say I remember much from watching Wendy's video series, nor could I find anything specific online, so I don't know. But surely she's had something faaabulous to say, no doubt with plenty of sibilants. Further research is called for.
on Saturday, 17 January 2009 at 21.39
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Thanks for sharing this sad anecdote. Still, I have respect for Colin Powell, just not his former boss.
Guernica is indeed a powerful piece. I have only seen prints of it, and photographs of it in situ. It must be really amazing to see the original. And a sad tale it recounts.
Picasso is (I believe) the one who said "Art is the lie that tells the truth." Profound.