Remove Nazi Art from Saint Mary's College of California
Remove Nazi Art from Saint Mary's College of California
The Issue
We, as SMC students, are deeply disturbed by the discovery and continued display of a piece of nazi art on the Saint Mary’s College campus.
The statue “Falcon Boy” in the Museum of Art (MOA) quad was done by Nazi artist Fritz von Graevenitz. He was commissioned to create many pieces for Hitler and the Nazi regime and had access to the inner circle of the party. He was described as a “favorite of Hitler,” even being called a “God-gifted National Socialist” by the fruher. Upon further investigation, we found he is responsible for a work titled “A Nazi photo book on the work of Fritz von Graevenitz.“ Three busts of Hitler were produced by this artist, as well as a 20 ft wide bronze statue of an eagle holding a swastika. It is clear that you cannot separate the art from the artist, especially when its history comes into direct contradiction with the college’s core values.
We demand that this statue be taken down, effective immediately. We call on the school to make a public apology specifically to those that were and still are impacted by the ideals of the Nazi regime that Fritz von Graevenitz promoted. Alongside an apology, we demand an explanation of how this statue was attained and why it was chosen to be displayed. We ask that the statue is replaced by a piece that celebrates Jewish culture and prosperity.
Fritz von Graevenitz represents ideals that the Saint Mary’s community won’t stand by.
Sincerely,
Sara Mameesh, Melanie Moyer, Venessa Ramirez
Sources:
The Issue
We, as SMC students, are deeply disturbed by the discovery and continued display of a piece of nazi art on the Saint Mary’s College campus.
The statue “Falcon Boy” in the Museum of Art (MOA) quad was done by Nazi artist Fritz von Graevenitz. He was commissioned to create many pieces for Hitler and the Nazi regime and had access to the inner circle of the party. He was described as a “favorite of Hitler,” even being called a “God-gifted National Socialist” by the fruher. Upon further investigation, we found he is responsible for a work titled “A Nazi photo book on the work of Fritz von Graevenitz.“ Three busts of Hitler were produced by this artist, as well as a 20 ft wide bronze statue of an eagle holding a swastika. It is clear that you cannot separate the art from the artist, especially when its history comes into direct contradiction with the college’s core values.
We demand that this statue be taken down, effective immediately. We call on the school to make a public apology specifically to those that were and still are impacted by the ideals of the Nazi regime that Fritz von Graevenitz promoted. Alongside an apology, we demand an explanation of how this statue was attained and why it was chosen to be displayed. We ask that the statue is replaced by a piece that celebrates Jewish culture and prosperity.
Fritz von Graevenitz represents ideals that the Saint Mary’s community won’t stand by.
Sincerely,
Sara Mameesh, Melanie Moyer, Venessa Ramirez
Sources:
Victory
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Petition created on February 23, 2021