a strange and beautiful tale of friendship
i READ an AMAZING book in 2016(ABOUT HIS UNCLE'S DEATH FROM THE ATOMIC BOMB AT HIROSHIMA) and then wrote to the author
I received a reply from him four years later (in 2020)
now we're good friends!
see some of our ongoing email exchanges below
Email received on September 21, 2020 from Toshinori Kanaya, who wrote a
memoir about his uncle, 'From the Shadow of the Grass: Hiroshima'
Dear Allen Spivack,
I am a writer of "From the Shadow of the Grass: Hiroshima". First of all, I sincerely apologize to you for not replying your e-mail. It is just yesterday that I read your e-mail sent four years ago! Although it is no use trying to excuse myself, it is because I had not noticed until now that my e-mail address was written on my book. I usually use other e-mail address in my mailing software and I never knew the e-mail address written on my book because the publishing company had made it for a business communication.
Thank you so much for your comment about my book. I think as follows; It is true that the events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by A-bomb were inhuman tragedies, but we should not hate the nation dropped A-bomb, and it is also true that very few Japanese have born a grudge against it.Of course, inhuman tragedies are not only A-bomb but also the attack onPearl Harbor, Nazi's holocaust and so on. It is against the very war that all of us should hate, because there cannot be war for justice.When we overlook human history, I cannot help approving that it have been filled with everlasting slaughter. I have appreciated one of your work, "Nuclear Triptych: Honoring the Hibakusha (2015)" on your website.I hope you will produce many works from now on.Please take care of yourself because of corona virus infection.
With best wishes,
Kanaya Toshinori
Email sent by me on September 22, 2020 to Toshinori Kanaya in
response to his email to me on September 21, 2020
Dear Toshinori-
I can't truly express to you how profoundly I was affected by receiving your email last night. It's amazing to me that you received my email after all these years. What a blessing for me! I immediately found your book and searched my memory about what I might have written after reading your profounding moving book. Then I read your beautiful email to my wife and told her the story about our unlikely connection.
I have read widely about our country's creation and dropping of the atomic bombs. I have also read widely about the Jewish Holocaust (I am Jewish and have lived with the reverberations of this horror for my entire life) as well as the history of many acts of genocide. I seek a way to understand the level of cruelty and degradation to which humans are capable. What I've read and think about does come through in my artwork-my piece about the atomic bomb for example. I've also created sculpture about the ravages of gun violence in the US and am currently working on a piece about the lynching of black people that took place in the US from 1888-1962.
I found your email to be hopeful, reassuring and wise and for that I am most appreciative. Your book affected me deeply and so reading your insightful words helped me to see a way forward. I hope to create a second version of the 'Nuclear Triptych' sometime soon. I made it early on in my life as a sculptor (I worked for 40+ years and then retired 7 years ago at age 65 to fulfill my dream to become a sculptor) and after 7 years of working hard at my craft, I feel I can bring a more sophisticated and sensitive vision to the theme of this piece. I extend to you my best wishes for health and prosperity. Let us all stay safe in these difficult times. I apologize that I cannot write to you in Japanese. Be well
Allen Spivack
Email sent to me on September 23, 2020 by Toshinori with a copy of the
original email I sent him four years ago on November 24, 2016
Dear Allen,
Thank you so much for your reply. I am very glad to receive your e-mail. To make it sure, I quote e-mail you sent me in November 24, 2016 for your memory. I think that 2020 has been an extraordinary year. Whenever I watch the news of the racial segregation in your country on TV, I feel sad and I have keenly realized that the problem is serious. Japan is small island country, where people are generally the same race and historically had closed the country for a long time, so people had no chance to come in contact with foreigners. It is unclear whether or not it was lucky, but it is true that my country had not been worried about racial segregation like your country.
Of course, racial segregation is not only about black people. In particular, I am not able to understand why Jewish had been historically persecuted for a long time. I think that the Jewish Holocaust is more tragic and crueler than the A-bomb in my county. I have ever read "Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktore Frankl (both Japanese and English version) and was deeply impressed with Frankl's experience in the concentration camp. As far as I know, there are too many great Jewish such as Marx, Einstein, Freud, Kafka, and so on to count in human history, so I suppose that other nations had persecuted Jewish because of jealousy.
I am not good at English, so I am sorry you may not be able to fully understand my letter. Give my kind regards to your wife. I wish you good health. With best wishes
Toshinori
My original email to Dr. Toshinori Kanaya sent on November 24, 2016
Dr. Kanaya-
I want to thank you for writing such a moving account of your uncle's life and life in Hiroshima pre-WW II, during the war and post-atomic bomb. I found myself experiencing great sadness as I read the book. I recently finished Dr. Takaki's book about Hiroshima and began to understand that we Americans have been fed propaganda for years (I'm now 68 years old) justifying the use of the atomic bomb (twice) on Japan. In my mind, it was a revenge killing for the attack on Pearl Harbor and another expression of our nation's virulent racist attitudes toward many peoples. We as a people are terribly racist.
I have been reading books about the atomic bomb attacks because I became a sculptor 3 years ago after working for years in many fields, most recently social work. I produced one piece so far about the nuclear bomb called "Nuclear Triptych: Honoring the Hibakusha." (there are photos of the piece and a description of it on my website-see below. Look under the Art Gallery tab under spiritual themes). As a Jew, I have read a lot about the Holocaust and visited the museum in Washington, DC several times as well as traveled to the Czech Republic and Germany and visited the concentration camps there. The theme of our inhumanity to each other and the level of violence/hate we perpetrate as individuals and societies is a recurring one for me. Our trips to Europe and to Israel (many times) are as much pilgrimages as vacations-to pay homage and bear witness to these all-too-frequent horrific acts (I very much appreciated your discussion of what constitutes "war crimes" at the end of the book).
My wife and I are discussing traveling to Japan in the future so we can visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I hope that by reading books such as yours I will find continued inspiration to produce art that addresses the theme of nuclear war. I send my blessings to you and your family.
Allen Spivack
PS. I'm apologizing for writing this email in English.
My email to Toshinori on September 23, 2020 to thank him for sending my
orginal email
Dear Toshinori-
Thank you for sending my original email to me. If it's ok with you, I'd like to put my letter and your reply on my art website. I include personal things on the website that connect to my art making and our communication certainly falls into that category.
Anti-semitism is thousands of years old and there is much to read about it. My wife and I visited two concentration camps on a trip to Euriope 6 years ago-one near Prague, Czech Republic and one near Berlin. We were able to bear witness to the full horror of which you speak and also to honor the dead in some small way. We hope someday to visit Japan and do the same for the victims of the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
A final thought: several weeks ago (oddly before I received your reply) I had a thought about the following: the name that the captain gave to his B-29 bomber that dropped the A bomb on Hiroshima was Enola Gay, his mother's name. They called the actual bomb 'Little Boy.' So here we have this plane (named after the captain's mother) giving 'birth' to her 'Little Boy' by opening her womb (the bomber's bomb bay doors.) So the imagery of the most miraculous act in nature-giving birth is used to characterize the most horrific act of human destruction. By the way, your writing in English is perfectly fine and understandable!
Allen
Email from Toshinori to me on September 23, 2020
Dear Allen,
About your request that you want to put our letters on your website, of course, I will consent it with pleasure. But if you found out any grammatical errors in my letters, you may correct those with your own way.
Although I know the names of B-29 droppiing A-bomb on Hiroshima and of the A-bomb itself, I have never thought , as you said, that imagery of the most miraculous act in nature-giving birth- is used to characterize the most horrific act of human destruction. It is not until I read your letter that I was able to understand the relationship between both names.
I am looking forward to your second versin of the "Nuclear Tripych". Give my kind regards to your wife.
With best wishes,
Toshinori
Email to Toshinori from me on September 24, 2020
Toshinori-
I feel like you have become an old friend of mine (by old I don't mean age-related!) Thanks for your permission to post your emails but I will keep your emails as written because most of your grammar and sentence structure are fine. That you have mastered a second language (so different from your own) is a marvel to me as I have never had a facility for learning languages.
Let's keep in touch from time to time and I send my best wishes for health and wisdom to you and your family. Allen
Email from Toshinori to me on September 24, 2020
Dear Allen,
Thank you for your kind e-mail. I would like to communicate with each other from time to time as well as
you. I wish you good health and success.
Best regards, Toshinori
Email to Toshinori from me on October 1, 2020 after rereading his book
Hi Toshinori-
After our recent email exchange, I decided to reread your book as it has been four years and my 72 year old brain doesn't remember things so well these days. I'm glad I read the book again because I remembered why I was so taken with it. Not only do you give the big picture with your excellent summary about the atomic bomb's development and your reflections on whether the bomb was a necessity as we are led to believe in the US, you also force us to view the experience through a microscope by telling your uncle's (and your family's) story. It's a powerful and painful tale.
I had a few thoughts as I reread this story:
1. I don't know if you ever read the book by George 'Bob' Caron And Charlotte Meares called 'Fire of a Thousand Suns.' He was the tail gunner on the Enola Gay and was responsible for taking the photos after the bomb exploded. I believe I got the book through Amazon. It tells about his life but is full of details about his participation on the crew and watching and photographing the A-bomb explosion. The book has extensive photos of the crew.
2. Your discussion about the decision to drop the bomb didn't include my personal theory ( of course, why would it!). All the geopolitics, Truman's desire to prove himself and other issues aside, I believe General Leslie Groves (THE person responsible for the development of the bomb) played a central role in the decisions to use it. My perspective: here is a military man (part of the Army Corps of Engineers whose mission is to get things done, done fast and done right. They did a lot of temporary hospital setup here in the early days of the Covid pandemic) who devoted years of his life to making the bomba reality. We may never know his 'behind the scenes' lobbying to make sure that the bomb was dropped to make sure it worked. I suspect he must have thought to himself "I've devoted every hour of my life for the last 6 years to making sure the scientists had everything they needed. I'll be damned if I don't get a chance to see if it works and to know how destructive it is. I deserve this and I will get it!" If I recall, General Groves was involved in the selection of target cities and I suspect his opinion really mattered after his success in getting this bomb built.
3. Your discussion at the end of the book about the unending horrors inflicted by humans on each other was a sobering reminder that no nation can claim the high ground as to moral behavior. I recently read the astounding book by Samantha Power (the Ambassador to the UN under Barack Obama who now teaches at Harvard) ) called 'A Problem from Hell' which documents many acts of genocide in the 20th and 21st centuries and the inaction of nations (especially the US) to respond to these abominations and another book written by Daniel Immerwahr called 'How to Hide an Empire' about the long and largely hidden hsitory of American imperialism and the cruelty associated with it. Both books reinforce what you wrote about nations and morality. You sound like a hopeful man and I admire that so much. I must admit I am far less hopeful that we humans can truly overcome our worst inclinations to destroy and dominate one another. That said, all I can do is be kind to others, act in a respectful and caring way with all I meet and make sculpture as my gesture of love to the world that calls attention to both the beauty we find and the tragedy we experience and witness.
Be well and I hope someday we will find a time and place to meet. Allen Spivack
Email from Toshinori to me on October 3, 2020
Dear Allen,
I am sorry I was not able to reply your email right away, because I had to think deeply about your thoghts for several days (another reason is surely because aging always dulls and slows down my thinking). After I received your email, I immediately orderd the book "Fire of a Thousand Suns" by Bob Caron and Charlotte Meares, althogh I was not able to buy it in my country and ordered it from the bookstore in the USA through Amazon. I want to read the book as soon as possible, but I was told that it taked several weeks to receive it. After I finish reading, I will tell you my impression of the book.
About the decision to drop the A-bomb, I agree with your perspective that it was not President Truman but General Groves who had had the right of decision at that time. I think that he executed his duty excellently as a military man, only he never thought that the decision would in an instant kill tens of thousands people. And I also think it is natural that anyone who has created a thing for the first time in the world usually feel an impulse to use it even if it brought about a horrible result.
I may be not a hopeful man but only an optimist. But I cannot forget some impressive paragraphs in "Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktore Frankl. Those are "In spite of all the enforced physical and mental primitiveness of the life in a concentration camp, it was possible for spiritual life to deepen. Sensitive people who were used to a rich intellectual life may have suffered much pain (they were often of a delicate constitution), but the damage to their inner selves was less.", "I didn't even know if my wife were still alive. I knew only one thing-which I have learned well by now: Love goes very far beyond the physical person of the beloved. It finds its deepest meaning in his spiritual being, his inner self. Whether or not he is actually present, whether or not he is still alive at all, ceases somehow to be of improtance", and "But not only creativeness and enjoyment are meaningful. If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death human life cannot be
complete".
It may be not easy for us to solve many difficult problems all over the world, but I want not to lose hope for the future. You write, on your web site, that you are a storyteller and have discovered your true calling as storyteller. I think what you said is to the point. Honestly, at first I was not able to understand your sculptures, because your works were too abstract for me to understand what you wanted to appeal. But as I read the stories of those who looked at your works, I am getting to understand what you intended to appeal the viewers. I wish you will continue to create your works as your gesture of love to the world.
With best wishes, Toshinori
Email from me to Toshinori on October 4, 2020
Hi Toshinori-
There is no need to apologize for not responding sooner. Life gets in the way and you should feel free to take as much time as you need to write to me. Our correspondence means a lot to me (I'm so delighted you have such a good command of English) and we'll do the best we can to keep it going.
We've been discussing some painful topics. It's an unusual way to start a relationship, but that said, these are topics we both care deeply about even if it fills us with sadness. On a more hopeful note and before I respond to your comments. I'm sending you a wonderful photograph of my one year old grandson's (Emet) first painting! He looks good in green. He loves avocado and the color of the paint is the same as avocado. I decided to give Emet some space on my art website so this photo is on my NEW WORK page.
I'll be interested to hear your reaction to Bob Caron's book. It's a memoir about his life but has extensive information about the preparation by the crew for the bombing run and his specific role protecting the plane and taking photos after the bomb was dropped.
My perspective is that you are too forgiving of General Groves. He was a military man and his goal was to help win the war at any cost. He did that and while I'll never know this, I believe he didn't give much thought to the consequences of dropping the bomb. Given the racism toward Japanese (and Asians generally) that was so rampant in the US during the war (including Truman) and the brutal fighting that occurred in the Pacific, I believe Groves felt 'the more dead the better.' I know something about this because I was in the US Navy during the Vietnam War (it's a long story about why I enlisted as an officer that I can share with you another time) and while I despised serving for three years (1970-73) I did see the behavior of the career military. They gave no consideration for the carnage inflicted on the enemy. What I witnessed during my tour of duty was so disturbing to me that I applied for conscientious objector status (this is refusing to carry out my duties on our ship) and was discharged in November 1973.
It is so incredible how much you've been affected by Viktor Frankel. I read his book several times many years ago and I think it's time for me to read it again. My wife Sherry and I visited the concentration camp where he was sent (Theresienstadt in the Czech Republic) and that was noted by the tour guide.
Finally, I write a lot about my artwork. To me, writing about my art in a very precise way helps me to make sense of what I create and I hope gives the viewer as much background about my intentions as well as the process that led from the idea to the actual creation of the sculpture. Sometimes I wake up from sleep with an idea for a sculpture almost fully formed. I don't make drawings or design the work. I just start and the work starts to take shape. Other times, I get an idea for a piece and have no idea why I'm making it. Only after finishing the piece and writing about it do I realize why I made this sculpture. I have to trust this process and not second guess myself. That said, talking about art is really hard (for me too) and understanding abstract art takes a lot of work. Nothing is obvious or self-evident with abstract art. I've spent my adult life going to museums and sculpture parks and I've learned to let my eye see what draws me in. It could be the material used or the design or a combination of both. It takes a very long time to evolve as an artist and I'm really a beginner (starting my 7th year). I wish I had started making sculpture earlier in my life but making a living and family obligations prevented that. So I keep at it day in and day out and build on what I'm learning with each new sculpture. It's the hardest thing I've ever done but I wouldn't want to do anything else.
We'll continue our conversation when we have time. Please take care of yourself. Allen
Email from Toshinori to me on November 1, 2020
Dear Allen,
I guess that the presidential election in your country is booming and people all ovrt the world are waiting the result of the election holding their breaths, because the president of the USA always influences every country a great deal without exception. Although I don't know which one is better, I hope that the new president exerts himself not only for his own country but also for all other coutries to keep the world in order.
Thank you for sending the picture of your lovely grandson. But I had already looked at it on your web site before I received your last email. I looked at the picture no sooner than I have sensed he would become a great artist in the future, of course, by far greater than his grandpa. As I read "Statement of Belief and Values of Allen M. Spivack" on your web site, I was able to know why you became a sculptor. And I think that every
item of the statement is very important for us, although I am not sure of carrying out those items.
Although you said that we have been discussing some painful topics and it's an unusual way to start a relationship, I don't think so. I believe that painful topics can give more deeper sympathy than enjoyable topics to you when people want share one's mind with other. I am looking forward to read Bob Caron and Charlotte Meares' book, but it has not arrived yet. After I receive the book and I finish reading, I will tell you my impression
of it.
Please give my regards to your lovely grand son. With best wishes, Toshinori
Email from me to Toshinori on November 2, 2020
Hi Toshinori-
It was great to receive your email. I hope you are all as well as can be expected during these difficult times.
Our Covid situation in Massachusetts is worsening (though not as bad as the rest of the US-it's a horrible situation for much of the US and keeps getting worse) and our family will not gather for any holidays in the next few months. It's sad but necessary. We have been visiting our one year old grandson-the artist- and his parents so that has been a welcome change from staying at home. They live 2 1/2 hours west of Boston so it's a fairly easy trip for us.
We are all nervous-that is, my family and friends, about the possibility of the reelection of trump. He is a disaster as a president and as offensive a person as any person I have ever encountered. He is a horror show. I am a political liberal and always have been-my entire extended family is- but I've tolerated many of our conservative presidents because they generally respected our democracy and how it works. trump could very well destroy our democracy if reelected given what we've seen these past four years. It is not an overstatement, believe me. I hope Biden is elected and our country can restore its integrity and begin again to respect our values and beliefs.
I hope you receive that book soon. I was reading a review of a book in The New Yorker magazine recently that details the nuclear confrontation between the US and Russia that almost happened over the Cuban missile crisis in 1961. If not for some chance meetings and certain people being in the right place at the right time, a nuclear war could very well have occurred. It is terrifying to consider that this was such a possibility. I discovered that the author of this book, Martin Sherwin, wrote several books about the nuclear bomb dropped on Japan. I now have one of them-'A World Destroyed-Hiroshima and Its Legacies'- which I will read as soon as I finish two other books I am reading. I'll let you know how it is after reading it. This book won a Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction (the most prestigious US award an author can receive-they give prizes for non-fiction, fiction, poetry, etc).
We are entering winter here (we had 3" of snow last Friday but expect temperatures later this week in the
60s F) and it's getting dark earlier. The prospect of being home-bound all winter (I do have my art studio as a refuge) and not traveling anywhere leaves me feeling sad. But we're all safe and being very careful and that's the most important thing.
Take care of yourself. Allen
Email from Toshinori to me on November 26, 2020
Dear Allen,
I hope you are doing well. Whenever I watch the news about the turmoil after the presidential election
in your country, I feel unpleasant and irritating, because I had thought, until now, that your country was the most democratic nation in the world. Honestly speaking, I was really disappointed with the nation called America, especially Mr.Trump as the president. I cannot help thinking he has abnormal personality and probably the worst President in all the past presidents. Now what I am worried, although I need not to mention, is the division among people in your country. The more the present confusion is long drawn out,
the more the division could become deeper, and I think that such situationis really serious. Besides, that could make Covid-19 infection much worse. Of course, you should know it well.
At any rate, I wish your country goes back to the peaceful nation, having people's politics for the people by the people, as soon as possible. I was, at last, not able to receive Caron's book because it was lost in
postal transit. So I ordered once again and am waiting for it.
With best wishes, Toshinori
Email from me to Toshinori on November 26, 2020
Hi Toshinori-
My wife and I are home today, alone this year during our Thanksgiving holiday. For the last 45 years our extended family has gathered somewhere on our east coast (Boston-New York City area-Delaware-Washington DC) to have a big family gathering. We've had as many as 65 people for our festivities! Everybody cooks their speciality. We are not all blood relatives but many extended families who married in or got invited at some point and kept coming. We eat, play a family football game, catch up on life and have fun. With Covid, our gathering is not happening, but I arranged for a family Zoom call today at 3 pm Eastern Standard Time. That's the best we can do. I prepared a slide show of Thanksgiving photos for this call (our oldest photo is from 1978). It's a huge disappointment for me as I love to be with everyone but we all need to remain safe (we have a number of family members who are physicians and nurses, many of whom have been working with Covid patients so there was no way we were going to risk infecting each other.)
Our election of Joe Biden has been a huge relief for many in the US. trump (I never capitalize his name) is a disaster, a disgraceful leader and a horrible human being. He is a severely mentally ill person (I used to do clinical work as a social worker so I speak with some authority) who has cultivated an ability to deceive many people into supporting him. He cares for no one but himself, his family and his business. I hope that his legal troubles (which are many) will land him in jail.
His time in office shows just how fragile democracy is when those in power ignore or abuse their 'expected' duties. trump's handling (or lack thereof) of our government and especially the Covid pandemic was a wake-up call for many people and truly exposed his incompetence. That is why our voter turnout was the highest ever. Biden got more votes than any other president in our history, over 80 million. Sherry and I know about Biden as he was the senator from Delaware where Sherry and I grew up (if you're not familiar with US geography-why should you!-Delaware is a small state on the East Coast halfway between New York City and Washington DC.). He's a decent and honest man and knows how to govern and surround himself with capable people (unlike trump's cast of characters).
Our citizens saved our democracy because another four years of trump would have done irreversible damage to it. I guess it shows that our Founding Fathers had put enough systems in place to counteract the inevitability of abuse of power. I will also say that the election officials throughout the US (including Republicans) DID THEIR JOB in an honorable and professional way. And our court system did that as well.
We are a deeply divided country now but the truth is we've been that way for a long time. We've created a myth that we are all together and unified but it's never been true. We suffer horribly from conflicts around race, class and rural-urban. We think we're compassionate but only to a point (for example, we still have no basic universal health care or free/low-cost college education or inexpensive child care). We are a cruel country that still supports capital punishment and embraces gun ownership (this country has over 400 million guns and our population is only 320 million!)
I hope you and your family are doing well. We are staying close to home because the Covid is getting worse and worse in this country (in Massachusetts it has gotten bad but not out of control). For the last five years, we've been going to Israel for a month during the cold weather but not this year. I'm having my right hip replaced on December 21. It's a quick surgery and I'll only be in the hospital for one night (the hospital specializes in orthopedics and is only a 7 minute drive from my house!). It takes about a month to recover and be back good as new. I've worn my body down over the years but I hear this type of surgery will resolve the pain I've been experiencing for over a year.
If you have trouble getting the Caron book maybe I can get it here and send it to you. Perhaps that would work better. I actually have another book I'd like to send you. A local friend (she's in her 30s) wrote a book about her relationship with an older man in her synagogue in New York City-he's 97 now. He is a painter and survivor of the Holocaust. The book is called 'Painting Resilience: The Life and Art of Fred Terna' by Julia Mayer. I'm just starting to read it. It's quite a story about Fred, his life during and after the Holocaust, his life as a painter and his relationship with Julia.
It was coincidental that I received your email yesterday as I had just started reading a book I mentioned to you in my last email- 'A World Destroyed: Hiroshima and Its Legacies' by Martin Sherwin. I'll let you know how it is when I'm done reading it.
It's always a treat to get your emails and to keep our conversation going. Allen
Email from me to Toshinori on January 9, 2021
Hi Toshinori-
Yes we are a mess. The Democrats now control all three branches of government. That’s a big deal and we’re so thankful the election in Georgia was a huge win. The rioting that happened yesterday is the culmination of allowing an insane, narcissistic, and perverted man do whatever he wants for four years. His political party is full of cowards, evil people and self centered bigots. They never stood up to trump and in fact made him more powerful. He is a false prophet and has no capacity to lead, inspire, plan or feel compassion for anyone or any thing.
He’ll be gone soon and there will be much to repair. Biden is a good, caring and thoughtful man with lots of experience ( we know about Biden very well because we grew up in Delaware and he was the senator there for 40+ years). We don’t know how all of this will effect us going forward but I am not hopeful.
I’m sending you a photo of my hip implant with the hardware next to it. I had a good checkup today and I am slowly doing better and feeling stronger.
I hope you are well. The US needs the prayers and blessings of the world. We are suffering. I’m anxious and excited for your next translations. Allen
Email from Toshinori to me on January 10, 2021
Dear Allen,
Thank you for your email. I know that your capitol was invaded by an insurgent riot and four people were killed. What a sad incident this is! Now I have no chice but to wish that your country become peaceful as soon as possible. I look forward to President-elect Biden, whom I too think he is a capable politician.
As I look at the photo of your implant, I thought you had had a big surgery.I am praying for your earliest possible recovery.
I am well thank you, and have been translating Caron and Mears' book eveyday. And I realized again that American English was very difficult.The reason is because there are many idioms which I cannot find out in my dictionaries and besides, for example, I must study the precise structure of B-29! But this book is very interesting and fascinating, and while reading I feel as if I live together with Bob Caron in USA.
With best wishes Toshinori
NOTE: Toshinori and I have maintained ongoing communication as he translates the memoir by Bob Caron and Charlotte Meares, Fire of a Thousand Suns. Bob Caron was the tail gunner and photographer on the Enola Gay, the B-29 airplane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. I suggested that Toshinori read this book and after reading it, he decided it needed to be translated into Japanese. The book's writing style is colloquial and very American slang-heavy. For a non-native American English speaker, this book is a real challenge to understand. As a result, I offered to explain (in writing) the many 'Americanisms' and often obscure content in this book. So far, I've explained nearly 500 passages. It's a lot of work, but it's a labor of love for both of us and, as I've told him, we are 'brothers in arms' with this project.
Email from me to Toshinori on March 9, 2021
Hi ToshinorI-
Please do not apologize for 'taking up my time.' It is my great honor and privilege to work with you on this project! Why do I say that?
1. I'm old enough-72- to be able to say no if I didn't want to do it.
2. This has given me a chance to reread the book and see it through your eyes.
3. I make the time in my life to ONLY do the things I want to do and helping you is one of those 'things'
4. I'm learning a lot about American culture by thinking about the questions you're asking about the American lifestyle. I am an anthropologist by training and so being able to see American life 'through your eyes' is a real gift for me.
So I hope you will accept my sincerest thanks for asking me to work on this project with you. I think this book is a real gift to our understanding about the time leading to and then after the dropping of the A bomb. It's full of insights, facts and reflections.
We are getting some nice warm days now (in the 50-60s F) compared to a stretch of cold (20-30s F) we just had. We will change our clocks on Saturday night to one hour ahead for daylight savings time so we'll have more daylight. People are getting vaccinated and everyone is cautiously optimistic that the summer will be better for everyone. Because so many Americans have died (525,000+) it's hard to feel good. Trump should be tried in a criminal court on war crimes for causing so much death when it could have been prevented.
And I feel strong again 10 weeks post surgery. I'm back in my studio full time! After we finish this book project, let's have a nice drink to celebrate (I'll drink good single malt scotch).
Allen
Email from Toshinori to me on March 11, 2021
Dear Allen,
I am sorry for the late reply. I understood very well what you had said in your last email. Your words encouraged me to continuously translate Caron and Meares' book. And after I read your email, I pondered upon my personality and characteristic of my country for several days, and then I thought in the following way.
Japan, historically, geographically and racially, had been isolated from foreign countries, and the main reason is probably because she is a small insular country in the Far East and hardly had contacted with other countries for thousands years, although she had borrowed many ideas from only China. So people had necessarily got to think that those who came from across the sea were mysterious and dangerous.
As the result, I think that the specific culture and nationalism like Chano-yu, Bushidou, Mujou, Wabi-Sabi and Harakiri(!), have developed in my country. It is true that each race has its own respective culture and history, but I suppose that, among many races, both the Jewish and the Japanese have conspicuouscharacteristics. In particular,
I think that the characterisric of personality in both shows a sharp contrast from the historical point of view. The former had no homeland for a long time, but the whole world was the place to live for them, and that turned out into giving them free and flexible thinkings. As an example, that have produced numerous geniuses in the world.
On the other hand, the latter was isolated in a small islands and never had known foreign countries until about a hundred year ago for a long time. I have heard that the Japanese usually have mysterious laughter to foreigner, and I think that the reason is because they don't know what a facial expression they should do. In depthpsychology, there is a term "defence mechanism" and it refers to an unconscious mechanism that reduces anxiety arising from unacceptable or potentially harmful stimuli. I think that that mysterious laughter is surely an exampe of defence mechanism.
Do you know Chiune Sugihara (1900-1986), a Japanese diplomat? Although only a few of the Japanese even know his name, he is famous for helping thousands of Jewish flee Europe by issuing transit visas to them so that they could travel through Japaneseterritory, risking his job and the lives of his family in 2nd World War. Later, when he was asked why he risked his career to save other people, he said simply: "I do it
just because I have pity on the people. They want to get out so I let them have the visas." I undersand his words very well as one of the Japanese. I never can understand antiSemitism, and few people in my country even know what anti Semitism is.
The Japanese always say "I'm sorry," in their daily conversations as if it's natural to say others. Of course, I'm one of them. So if you come to Japan and hear their conversations, you would wonder why they always apologize to one another. But that's what the Japanese is. Are you interested in depth psychology? My character is surely introverted-emotional type, and maybe your character is extroverted-intuitive type in
Jungian psychology. I'm very sorry (I said it again!) I wrote only my selfish thoughts. Please take care of yourself.
With best wishes, Toshinori
Email from me to Toshinori on March 13, 2021
Hi Toshinori-
You gave me a lot to think about. While Japan may have suffered from its isolation, think how the US has suffered from its diversity. We promote a false myth as a 'melting pot' where everyone can achieve the 'American Dream' but we know that is really a lie. Yes, there are many opportunities here, but for many immigrants and black people achieving a better life is an ongoing struggle.
Racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination and hatred due in large part to our diversityhas undermined the well-being of many in this country. It's true we don't have an emperor or king/queen to promote and uphold our values and beliefs about who we are (maybe that is what our Constitution does), but we struggle to be compassionate, caring and equitable.
Given what we've witnessed about human behavior over the millenia, I often think that God (in our creation story in the Bible) made a terrible mistake creating human beings. It was a calculated risk that God was willing to take, but it failed miserably to live up to the expectations. I am not optimistic that humans will ever achieve a the level of compassion and empathy that we all would like to see in this world.
I was fascinated to learn about Chiune Sugihara (1900-1986)-someone I had never heard about before. I will do some research into his life and good works. There was a diplomatic consul from Portugal during World War II- Aristides de Sousa Mendes (here is a link to his story) who was stationed in Bordeaux, France and issued 30,000 visas to Jews so they could escape the Nazis (I have a very close friend here in Boston whose mother's family was issued one of these visas-they escaped to Cape Verde and then South America before coming to the US). There is a wonderful movie about him-The Consul Of Bordeaux- that tells his story. Has anyone ever written the story of Chiune Sugihara? (Another book project for you!).
We have much to discuss and so I do hope after Covid (we get our second vaccination in two weeks) and this book project, Sherry and I will plan a trip to Japan-to spend time with you, to make pilgrimages to Hiroshima and Nagasaki to offer our prayers for forgiveness and to enjoy the beauties and delicacies of your country. She's always asking me about what you have to say in your latest email!
Be well and stay safe Allen
memoir about his uncle, 'From the Shadow of the Grass: Hiroshima'
Dear Allen Spivack,
I am a writer of "From the Shadow of the Grass: Hiroshima". First of all, I sincerely apologize to you for not replying your e-mail. It is just yesterday that I read your e-mail sent four years ago! Although it is no use trying to excuse myself, it is because I had not noticed until now that my e-mail address was written on my book. I usually use other e-mail address in my mailing software and I never knew the e-mail address written on my book because the publishing company had made it for a business communication.
Thank you so much for your comment about my book. I think as follows; It is true that the events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by A-bomb were inhuman tragedies, but we should not hate the nation dropped A-bomb, and it is also true that very few Japanese have born a grudge against it.Of course, inhuman tragedies are not only A-bomb but also the attack onPearl Harbor, Nazi's holocaust and so on. It is against the very war that all of us should hate, because there cannot be war for justice.When we overlook human history, I cannot help approving that it have been filled with everlasting slaughter. I have appreciated one of your work, "Nuclear Triptych: Honoring the Hibakusha (2015)" on your website.I hope you will produce many works from now on.Please take care of yourself because of corona virus infection.
With best wishes,
Kanaya Toshinori
Email sent by me on September 22, 2020 to Toshinori Kanaya in
response to his email to me on September 21, 2020
Dear Toshinori-
I can't truly express to you how profoundly I was affected by receiving your email last night. It's amazing to me that you received my email after all these years. What a blessing for me! I immediately found your book and searched my memory about what I might have written after reading your profounding moving book. Then I read your beautiful email to my wife and told her the story about our unlikely connection.
I have read widely about our country's creation and dropping of the atomic bombs. I have also read widely about the Jewish Holocaust (I am Jewish and have lived with the reverberations of this horror for my entire life) as well as the history of many acts of genocide. I seek a way to understand the level of cruelty and degradation to which humans are capable. What I've read and think about does come through in my artwork-my piece about the atomic bomb for example. I've also created sculpture about the ravages of gun violence in the US and am currently working on a piece about the lynching of black people that took place in the US from 1888-1962.
I found your email to be hopeful, reassuring and wise and for that I am most appreciative. Your book affected me deeply and so reading your insightful words helped me to see a way forward. I hope to create a second version of the 'Nuclear Triptych' sometime soon. I made it early on in my life as a sculptor (I worked for 40+ years and then retired 7 years ago at age 65 to fulfill my dream to become a sculptor) and after 7 years of working hard at my craft, I feel I can bring a more sophisticated and sensitive vision to the theme of this piece. I extend to you my best wishes for health and prosperity. Let us all stay safe in these difficult times. I apologize that I cannot write to you in Japanese. Be well
Allen Spivack
Email sent to me on September 23, 2020 by Toshinori with a copy of the
original email I sent him four years ago on November 24, 2016
Dear Allen,
Thank you so much for your reply. I am very glad to receive your e-mail. To make it sure, I quote e-mail you sent me in November 24, 2016 for your memory. I think that 2020 has been an extraordinary year. Whenever I watch the news of the racial segregation in your country on TV, I feel sad and I have keenly realized that the problem is serious. Japan is small island country, where people are generally the same race and historically had closed the country for a long time, so people had no chance to come in contact with foreigners. It is unclear whether or not it was lucky, but it is true that my country had not been worried about racial segregation like your country.
Of course, racial segregation is not only about black people. In particular, I am not able to understand why Jewish had been historically persecuted for a long time. I think that the Jewish Holocaust is more tragic and crueler than the A-bomb in my county. I have ever read "Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktore Frankl (both Japanese and English version) and was deeply impressed with Frankl's experience in the concentration camp. As far as I know, there are too many great Jewish such as Marx, Einstein, Freud, Kafka, and so on to count in human history, so I suppose that other nations had persecuted Jewish because of jealousy.
I am not good at English, so I am sorry you may not be able to fully understand my letter. Give my kind regards to your wife. I wish you good health. With best wishes
Toshinori
My original email to Dr. Toshinori Kanaya sent on November 24, 2016
Dr. Kanaya-
I want to thank you for writing such a moving account of your uncle's life and life in Hiroshima pre-WW II, during the war and post-atomic bomb. I found myself experiencing great sadness as I read the book. I recently finished Dr. Takaki's book about Hiroshima and began to understand that we Americans have been fed propaganda for years (I'm now 68 years old) justifying the use of the atomic bomb (twice) on Japan. In my mind, it was a revenge killing for the attack on Pearl Harbor and another expression of our nation's virulent racist attitudes toward many peoples. We as a people are terribly racist.
I have been reading books about the atomic bomb attacks because I became a sculptor 3 years ago after working for years in many fields, most recently social work. I produced one piece so far about the nuclear bomb called "Nuclear Triptych: Honoring the Hibakusha." (there are photos of the piece and a description of it on my website-see below. Look under the Art Gallery tab under spiritual themes). As a Jew, I have read a lot about the Holocaust and visited the museum in Washington, DC several times as well as traveled to the Czech Republic and Germany and visited the concentration camps there. The theme of our inhumanity to each other and the level of violence/hate we perpetrate as individuals and societies is a recurring one for me. Our trips to Europe and to Israel (many times) are as much pilgrimages as vacations-to pay homage and bear witness to these all-too-frequent horrific acts (I very much appreciated your discussion of what constitutes "war crimes" at the end of the book).
My wife and I are discussing traveling to Japan in the future so we can visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I hope that by reading books such as yours I will find continued inspiration to produce art that addresses the theme of nuclear war. I send my blessings to you and your family.
Allen Spivack
PS. I'm apologizing for writing this email in English.
My email to Toshinori on September 23, 2020 to thank him for sending my
orginal email
Dear Toshinori-
Thank you for sending my original email to me. If it's ok with you, I'd like to put my letter and your reply on my art website. I include personal things on the website that connect to my art making and our communication certainly falls into that category.
Anti-semitism is thousands of years old and there is much to read about it. My wife and I visited two concentration camps on a trip to Euriope 6 years ago-one near Prague, Czech Republic and one near Berlin. We were able to bear witness to the full horror of which you speak and also to honor the dead in some small way. We hope someday to visit Japan and do the same for the victims of the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
A final thought: several weeks ago (oddly before I received your reply) I had a thought about the following: the name that the captain gave to his B-29 bomber that dropped the A bomb on Hiroshima was Enola Gay, his mother's name. They called the actual bomb 'Little Boy.' So here we have this plane (named after the captain's mother) giving 'birth' to her 'Little Boy' by opening her womb (the bomber's bomb bay doors.) So the imagery of the most miraculous act in nature-giving birth is used to characterize the most horrific act of human destruction. By the way, your writing in English is perfectly fine and understandable!
Allen
Email from Toshinori to me on September 23, 2020
Dear Allen,
About your request that you want to put our letters on your website, of course, I will consent it with pleasure. But if you found out any grammatical errors in my letters, you may correct those with your own way.
Although I know the names of B-29 droppiing A-bomb on Hiroshima and of the A-bomb itself, I have never thought , as you said, that imagery of the most miraculous act in nature-giving birth- is used to characterize the most horrific act of human destruction. It is not until I read your letter that I was able to understand the relationship between both names.
I am looking forward to your second versin of the "Nuclear Tripych". Give my kind regards to your wife.
With best wishes,
Toshinori
Email to Toshinori from me on September 24, 2020
Toshinori-
I feel like you have become an old friend of mine (by old I don't mean age-related!) Thanks for your permission to post your emails but I will keep your emails as written because most of your grammar and sentence structure are fine. That you have mastered a second language (so different from your own) is a marvel to me as I have never had a facility for learning languages.
Let's keep in touch from time to time and I send my best wishes for health and wisdom to you and your family. Allen
Email from Toshinori to me on September 24, 2020
Dear Allen,
Thank you for your kind e-mail. I would like to communicate with each other from time to time as well as
you. I wish you good health and success.
Best regards, Toshinori
Email to Toshinori from me on October 1, 2020 after rereading his book
Hi Toshinori-
After our recent email exchange, I decided to reread your book as it has been four years and my 72 year old brain doesn't remember things so well these days. I'm glad I read the book again because I remembered why I was so taken with it. Not only do you give the big picture with your excellent summary about the atomic bomb's development and your reflections on whether the bomb was a necessity as we are led to believe in the US, you also force us to view the experience through a microscope by telling your uncle's (and your family's) story. It's a powerful and painful tale.
I had a few thoughts as I reread this story:
1. I don't know if you ever read the book by George 'Bob' Caron And Charlotte Meares called 'Fire of a Thousand Suns.' He was the tail gunner on the Enola Gay and was responsible for taking the photos after the bomb exploded. I believe I got the book through Amazon. It tells about his life but is full of details about his participation on the crew and watching and photographing the A-bomb explosion. The book has extensive photos of the crew.
2. Your discussion about the decision to drop the bomb didn't include my personal theory ( of course, why would it!). All the geopolitics, Truman's desire to prove himself and other issues aside, I believe General Leslie Groves (THE person responsible for the development of the bomb) played a central role in the decisions to use it. My perspective: here is a military man (part of the Army Corps of Engineers whose mission is to get things done, done fast and done right. They did a lot of temporary hospital setup here in the early days of the Covid pandemic) who devoted years of his life to making the bomba reality. We may never know his 'behind the scenes' lobbying to make sure that the bomb was dropped to make sure it worked. I suspect he must have thought to himself "I've devoted every hour of my life for the last 6 years to making sure the scientists had everything they needed. I'll be damned if I don't get a chance to see if it works and to know how destructive it is. I deserve this and I will get it!" If I recall, General Groves was involved in the selection of target cities and I suspect his opinion really mattered after his success in getting this bomb built.
3. Your discussion at the end of the book about the unending horrors inflicted by humans on each other was a sobering reminder that no nation can claim the high ground as to moral behavior. I recently read the astounding book by Samantha Power (the Ambassador to the UN under Barack Obama who now teaches at Harvard) ) called 'A Problem from Hell' which documents many acts of genocide in the 20th and 21st centuries and the inaction of nations (especially the US) to respond to these abominations and another book written by Daniel Immerwahr called 'How to Hide an Empire' about the long and largely hidden hsitory of American imperialism and the cruelty associated with it. Both books reinforce what you wrote about nations and morality. You sound like a hopeful man and I admire that so much. I must admit I am far less hopeful that we humans can truly overcome our worst inclinations to destroy and dominate one another. That said, all I can do is be kind to others, act in a respectful and caring way with all I meet and make sculpture as my gesture of love to the world that calls attention to both the beauty we find and the tragedy we experience and witness.
Be well and I hope someday we will find a time and place to meet. Allen Spivack
Email from Toshinori to me on October 3, 2020
Dear Allen,
I am sorry I was not able to reply your email right away, because I had to think deeply about your thoghts for several days (another reason is surely because aging always dulls and slows down my thinking). After I received your email, I immediately orderd the book "Fire of a Thousand Suns" by Bob Caron and Charlotte Meares, althogh I was not able to buy it in my country and ordered it from the bookstore in the USA through Amazon. I want to read the book as soon as possible, but I was told that it taked several weeks to receive it. After I finish reading, I will tell you my impression of the book.
About the decision to drop the A-bomb, I agree with your perspective that it was not President Truman but General Groves who had had the right of decision at that time. I think that he executed his duty excellently as a military man, only he never thought that the decision would in an instant kill tens of thousands people. And I also think it is natural that anyone who has created a thing for the first time in the world usually feel an impulse to use it even if it brought about a horrible result.
I may be not a hopeful man but only an optimist. But I cannot forget some impressive paragraphs in "Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktore Frankl. Those are "In spite of all the enforced physical and mental primitiveness of the life in a concentration camp, it was possible for spiritual life to deepen. Sensitive people who were used to a rich intellectual life may have suffered much pain (they were often of a delicate constitution), but the damage to their inner selves was less.", "I didn't even know if my wife were still alive. I knew only one thing-which I have learned well by now: Love goes very far beyond the physical person of the beloved. It finds its deepest meaning in his spiritual being, his inner self. Whether or not he is actually present, whether or not he is still alive at all, ceases somehow to be of improtance", and "But not only creativeness and enjoyment are meaningful. If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death human life cannot be
complete".
It may be not easy for us to solve many difficult problems all over the world, but I want not to lose hope for the future. You write, on your web site, that you are a storyteller and have discovered your true calling as storyteller. I think what you said is to the point. Honestly, at first I was not able to understand your sculptures, because your works were too abstract for me to understand what you wanted to appeal. But as I read the stories of those who looked at your works, I am getting to understand what you intended to appeal the viewers. I wish you will continue to create your works as your gesture of love to the world.
With best wishes, Toshinori
Email from me to Toshinori on October 4, 2020
Hi Toshinori-
There is no need to apologize for not responding sooner. Life gets in the way and you should feel free to take as much time as you need to write to me. Our correspondence means a lot to me (I'm so delighted you have such a good command of English) and we'll do the best we can to keep it going.
We've been discussing some painful topics. It's an unusual way to start a relationship, but that said, these are topics we both care deeply about even if it fills us with sadness. On a more hopeful note and before I respond to your comments. I'm sending you a wonderful photograph of my one year old grandson's (Emet) first painting! He looks good in green. He loves avocado and the color of the paint is the same as avocado. I decided to give Emet some space on my art website so this photo is on my NEW WORK page.
I'll be interested to hear your reaction to Bob Caron's book. It's a memoir about his life but has extensive information about the preparation by the crew for the bombing run and his specific role protecting the plane and taking photos after the bomb was dropped.
My perspective is that you are too forgiving of General Groves. He was a military man and his goal was to help win the war at any cost. He did that and while I'll never know this, I believe he didn't give much thought to the consequences of dropping the bomb. Given the racism toward Japanese (and Asians generally) that was so rampant in the US during the war (including Truman) and the brutal fighting that occurred in the Pacific, I believe Groves felt 'the more dead the better.' I know something about this because I was in the US Navy during the Vietnam War (it's a long story about why I enlisted as an officer that I can share with you another time) and while I despised serving for three years (1970-73) I did see the behavior of the career military. They gave no consideration for the carnage inflicted on the enemy. What I witnessed during my tour of duty was so disturbing to me that I applied for conscientious objector status (this is refusing to carry out my duties on our ship) and was discharged in November 1973.
It is so incredible how much you've been affected by Viktor Frankel. I read his book several times many years ago and I think it's time for me to read it again. My wife Sherry and I visited the concentration camp where he was sent (Theresienstadt in the Czech Republic) and that was noted by the tour guide.
Finally, I write a lot about my artwork. To me, writing about my art in a very precise way helps me to make sense of what I create and I hope gives the viewer as much background about my intentions as well as the process that led from the idea to the actual creation of the sculpture. Sometimes I wake up from sleep with an idea for a sculpture almost fully formed. I don't make drawings or design the work. I just start and the work starts to take shape. Other times, I get an idea for a piece and have no idea why I'm making it. Only after finishing the piece and writing about it do I realize why I made this sculpture. I have to trust this process and not second guess myself. That said, talking about art is really hard (for me too) and understanding abstract art takes a lot of work. Nothing is obvious or self-evident with abstract art. I've spent my adult life going to museums and sculpture parks and I've learned to let my eye see what draws me in. It could be the material used or the design or a combination of both. It takes a very long time to evolve as an artist and I'm really a beginner (starting my 7th year). I wish I had started making sculpture earlier in my life but making a living and family obligations prevented that. So I keep at it day in and day out and build on what I'm learning with each new sculpture. It's the hardest thing I've ever done but I wouldn't want to do anything else.
We'll continue our conversation when we have time. Please take care of yourself. Allen
Email from Toshinori to me on November 1, 2020
Dear Allen,
I guess that the presidential election in your country is booming and people all ovrt the world are waiting the result of the election holding their breaths, because the president of the USA always influences every country a great deal without exception. Although I don't know which one is better, I hope that the new president exerts himself not only for his own country but also for all other coutries to keep the world in order.
Thank you for sending the picture of your lovely grandson. But I had already looked at it on your web site before I received your last email. I looked at the picture no sooner than I have sensed he would become a great artist in the future, of course, by far greater than his grandpa. As I read "Statement of Belief and Values of Allen M. Spivack" on your web site, I was able to know why you became a sculptor. And I think that every
item of the statement is very important for us, although I am not sure of carrying out those items.
Although you said that we have been discussing some painful topics and it's an unusual way to start a relationship, I don't think so. I believe that painful topics can give more deeper sympathy than enjoyable topics to you when people want share one's mind with other. I am looking forward to read Bob Caron and Charlotte Meares' book, but it has not arrived yet. After I receive the book and I finish reading, I will tell you my impression
of it.
Please give my regards to your lovely grand son. With best wishes, Toshinori
Email from me to Toshinori on November 2, 2020
Hi Toshinori-
It was great to receive your email. I hope you are all as well as can be expected during these difficult times.
Our Covid situation in Massachusetts is worsening (though not as bad as the rest of the US-it's a horrible situation for much of the US and keeps getting worse) and our family will not gather for any holidays in the next few months. It's sad but necessary. We have been visiting our one year old grandson-the artist- and his parents so that has been a welcome change from staying at home. They live 2 1/2 hours west of Boston so it's a fairly easy trip for us.
We are all nervous-that is, my family and friends, about the possibility of the reelection of trump. He is a disaster as a president and as offensive a person as any person I have ever encountered. He is a horror show. I am a political liberal and always have been-my entire extended family is- but I've tolerated many of our conservative presidents because they generally respected our democracy and how it works. trump could very well destroy our democracy if reelected given what we've seen these past four years. It is not an overstatement, believe me. I hope Biden is elected and our country can restore its integrity and begin again to respect our values and beliefs.
I hope you receive that book soon. I was reading a review of a book in The New Yorker magazine recently that details the nuclear confrontation between the US and Russia that almost happened over the Cuban missile crisis in 1961. If not for some chance meetings and certain people being in the right place at the right time, a nuclear war could very well have occurred. It is terrifying to consider that this was such a possibility. I discovered that the author of this book, Martin Sherwin, wrote several books about the nuclear bomb dropped on Japan. I now have one of them-'A World Destroyed-Hiroshima and Its Legacies'- which I will read as soon as I finish two other books I am reading. I'll let you know how it is after reading it. This book won a Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction (the most prestigious US award an author can receive-they give prizes for non-fiction, fiction, poetry, etc).
We are entering winter here (we had 3" of snow last Friday but expect temperatures later this week in the
60s F) and it's getting dark earlier. The prospect of being home-bound all winter (I do have my art studio as a refuge) and not traveling anywhere leaves me feeling sad. But we're all safe and being very careful and that's the most important thing.
Take care of yourself. Allen
Email from Toshinori to me on November 26, 2020
Dear Allen,
I hope you are doing well. Whenever I watch the news about the turmoil after the presidential election
in your country, I feel unpleasant and irritating, because I had thought, until now, that your country was the most democratic nation in the world. Honestly speaking, I was really disappointed with the nation called America, especially Mr.Trump as the president. I cannot help thinking he has abnormal personality and probably the worst President in all the past presidents. Now what I am worried, although I need not to mention, is the division among people in your country. The more the present confusion is long drawn out,
the more the division could become deeper, and I think that such situationis really serious. Besides, that could make Covid-19 infection much worse. Of course, you should know it well.
At any rate, I wish your country goes back to the peaceful nation, having people's politics for the people by the people, as soon as possible. I was, at last, not able to receive Caron's book because it was lost in
postal transit. So I ordered once again and am waiting for it.
With best wishes, Toshinori
Email from me to Toshinori on November 26, 2020
Hi Toshinori-
My wife and I are home today, alone this year during our Thanksgiving holiday. For the last 45 years our extended family has gathered somewhere on our east coast (Boston-New York City area-Delaware-Washington DC) to have a big family gathering. We've had as many as 65 people for our festivities! Everybody cooks their speciality. We are not all blood relatives but many extended families who married in or got invited at some point and kept coming. We eat, play a family football game, catch up on life and have fun. With Covid, our gathering is not happening, but I arranged for a family Zoom call today at 3 pm Eastern Standard Time. That's the best we can do. I prepared a slide show of Thanksgiving photos for this call (our oldest photo is from 1978). It's a huge disappointment for me as I love to be with everyone but we all need to remain safe (we have a number of family members who are physicians and nurses, many of whom have been working with Covid patients so there was no way we were going to risk infecting each other.)
Our election of Joe Biden has been a huge relief for many in the US. trump (I never capitalize his name) is a disaster, a disgraceful leader and a horrible human being. He is a severely mentally ill person (I used to do clinical work as a social worker so I speak with some authority) who has cultivated an ability to deceive many people into supporting him. He cares for no one but himself, his family and his business. I hope that his legal troubles (which are many) will land him in jail.
His time in office shows just how fragile democracy is when those in power ignore or abuse their 'expected' duties. trump's handling (or lack thereof) of our government and especially the Covid pandemic was a wake-up call for many people and truly exposed his incompetence. That is why our voter turnout was the highest ever. Biden got more votes than any other president in our history, over 80 million. Sherry and I know about Biden as he was the senator from Delaware where Sherry and I grew up (if you're not familiar with US geography-why should you!-Delaware is a small state on the East Coast halfway between New York City and Washington DC.). He's a decent and honest man and knows how to govern and surround himself with capable people (unlike trump's cast of characters).
Our citizens saved our democracy because another four years of trump would have done irreversible damage to it. I guess it shows that our Founding Fathers had put enough systems in place to counteract the inevitability of abuse of power. I will also say that the election officials throughout the US (including Republicans) DID THEIR JOB in an honorable and professional way. And our court system did that as well.
We are a deeply divided country now but the truth is we've been that way for a long time. We've created a myth that we are all together and unified but it's never been true. We suffer horribly from conflicts around race, class and rural-urban. We think we're compassionate but only to a point (for example, we still have no basic universal health care or free/low-cost college education or inexpensive child care). We are a cruel country that still supports capital punishment and embraces gun ownership (this country has over 400 million guns and our population is only 320 million!)
I hope you and your family are doing well. We are staying close to home because the Covid is getting worse and worse in this country (in Massachusetts it has gotten bad but not out of control). For the last five years, we've been going to Israel for a month during the cold weather but not this year. I'm having my right hip replaced on December 21. It's a quick surgery and I'll only be in the hospital for one night (the hospital specializes in orthopedics and is only a 7 minute drive from my house!). It takes about a month to recover and be back good as new. I've worn my body down over the years but I hear this type of surgery will resolve the pain I've been experiencing for over a year.
If you have trouble getting the Caron book maybe I can get it here and send it to you. Perhaps that would work better. I actually have another book I'd like to send you. A local friend (she's in her 30s) wrote a book about her relationship with an older man in her synagogue in New York City-he's 97 now. He is a painter and survivor of the Holocaust. The book is called 'Painting Resilience: The Life and Art of Fred Terna' by Julia Mayer. I'm just starting to read it. It's quite a story about Fred, his life during and after the Holocaust, his life as a painter and his relationship with Julia.
It was coincidental that I received your email yesterday as I had just started reading a book I mentioned to you in my last email- 'A World Destroyed: Hiroshima and Its Legacies' by Martin Sherwin. I'll let you know how it is when I'm done reading it.
It's always a treat to get your emails and to keep our conversation going. Allen
Email from me to Toshinori on January 9, 2021
Hi Toshinori-
Yes we are a mess. The Democrats now control all three branches of government. That’s a big deal and we’re so thankful the election in Georgia was a huge win. The rioting that happened yesterday is the culmination of allowing an insane, narcissistic, and perverted man do whatever he wants for four years. His political party is full of cowards, evil people and self centered bigots. They never stood up to trump and in fact made him more powerful. He is a false prophet and has no capacity to lead, inspire, plan or feel compassion for anyone or any thing.
He’ll be gone soon and there will be much to repair. Biden is a good, caring and thoughtful man with lots of experience ( we know about Biden very well because we grew up in Delaware and he was the senator there for 40+ years). We don’t know how all of this will effect us going forward but I am not hopeful.
I’m sending you a photo of my hip implant with the hardware next to it. I had a good checkup today and I am slowly doing better and feeling stronger.
I hope you are well. The US needs the prayers and blessings of the world. We are suffering. I’m anxious and excited for your next translations. Allen
Email from Toshinori to me on January 10, 2021
Dear Allen,
Thank you for your email. I know that your capitol was invaded by an insurgent riot and four people were killed. What a sad incident this is! Now I have no chice but to wish that your country become peaceful as soon as possible. I look forward to President-elect Biden, whom I too think he is a capable politician.
As I look at the photo of your implant, I thought you had had a big surgery.I am praying for your earliest possible recovery.
I am well thank you, and have been translating Caron and Mears' book eveyday. And I realized again that American English was very difficult.The reason is because there are many idioms which I cannot find out in my dictionaries and besides, for example, I must study the precise structure of B-29! But this book is very interesting and fascinating, and while reading I feel as if I live together with Bob Caron in USA.
With best wishes Toshinori
NOTE: Toshinori and I have maintained ongoing communication as he translates the memoir by Bob Caron and Charlotte Meares, Fire of a Thousand Suns. Bob Caron was the tail gunner and photographer on the Enola Gay, the B-29 airplane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. I suggested that Toshinori read this book and after reading it, he decided it needed to be translated into Japanese. The book's writing style is colloquial and very American slang-heavy. For a non-native American English speaker, this book is a real challenge to understand. As a result, I offered to explain (in writing) the many 'Americanisms' and often obscure content in this book. So far, I've explained nearly 500 passages. It's a lot of work, but it's a labor of love for both of us and, as I've told him, we are 'brothers in arms' with this project.
Email from me to Toshinori on March 9, 2021
Hi ToshinorI-
Please do not apologize for 'taking up my time.' It is my great honor and privilege to work with you on this project! Why do I say that?
1. I'm old enough-72- to be able to say no if I didn't want to do it.
2. This has given me a chance to reread the book and see it through your eyes.
3. I make the time in my life to ONLY do the things I want to do and helping you is one of those 'things'
4. I'm learning a lot about American culture by thinking about the questions you're asking about the American lifestyle. I am an anthropologist by training and so being able to see American life 'through your eyes' is a real gift for me.
So I hope you will accept my sincerest thanks for asking me to work on this project with you. I think this book is a real gift to our understanding about the time leading to and then after the dropping of the A bomb. It's full of insights, facts and reflections.
We are getting some nice warm days now (in the 50-60s F) compared to a stretch of cold (20-30s F) we just had. We will change our clocks on Saturday night to one hour ahead for daylight savings time so we'll have more daylight. People are getting vaccinated and everyone is cautiously optimistic that the summer will be better for everyone. Because so many Americans have died (525,000+) it's hard to feel good. Trump should be tried in a criminal court on war crimes for causing so much death when it could have been prevented.
And I feel strong again 10 weeks post surgery. I'm back in my studio full time! After we finish this book project, let's have a nice drink to celebrate (I'll drink good single malt scotch).
Allen
Email from Toshinori to me on March 11, 2021
Dear Allen,
I am sorry for the late reply. I understood very well what you had said in your last email. Your words encouraged me to continuously translate Caron and Meares' book. And after I read your email, I pondered upon my personality and characteristic of my country for several days, and then I thought in the following way.
Japan, historically, geographically and racially, had been isolated from foreign countries, and the main reason is probably because she is a small insular country in the Far East and hardly had contacted with other countries for thousands years, although she had borrowed many ideas from only China. So people had necessarily got to think that those who came from across the sea were mysterious and dangerous.
As the result, I think that the specific culture and nationalism like Chano-yu, Bushidou, Mujou, Wabi-Sabi and Harakiri(!), have developed in my country. It is true that each race has its own respective culture and history, but I suppose that, among many races, both the Jewish and the Japanese have conspicuouscharacteristics. In particular,
I think that the characterisric of personality in both shows a sharp contrast from the historical point of view. The former had no homeland for a long time, but the whole world was the place to live for them, and that turned out into giving them free and flexible thinkings. As an example, that have produced numerous geniuses in the world.
On the other hand, the latter was isolated in a small islands and never had known foreign countries until about a hundred year ago for a long time. I have heard that the Japanese usually have mysterious laughter to foreigner, and I think that the reason is because they don't know what a facial expression they should do. In depthpsychology, there is a term "defence mechanism" and it refers to an unconscious mechanism that reduces anxiety arising from unacceptable or potentially harmful stimuli. I think that that mysterious laughter is surely an exampe of defence mechanism.
Do you know Chiune Sugihara (1900-1986), a Japanese diplomat? Although only a few of the Japanese even know his name, he is famous for helping thousands of Jewish flee Europe by issuing transit visas to them so that they could travel through Japaneseterritory, risking his job and the lives of his family in 2nd World War. Later, when he was asked why he risked his career to save other people, he said simply: "I do it
just because I have pity on the people. They want to get out so I let them have the visas." I undersand his words very well as one of the Japanese. I never can understand antiSemitism, and few people in my country even know what anti Semitism is.
The Japanese always say "I'm sorry," in their daily conversations as if it's natural to say others. Of course, I'm one of them. So if you come to Japan and hear their conversations, you would wonder why they always apologize to one another. But that's what the Japanese is. Are you interested in depth psychology? My character is surely introverted-emotional type, and maybe your character is extroverted-intuitive type in
Jungian psychology. I'm very sorry (I said it again!) I wrote only my selfish thoughts. Please take care of yourself.
With best wishes, Toshinori
Email from me to Toshinori on March 13, 2021
Hi Toshinori-
You gave me a lot to think about. While Japan may have suffered from its isolation, think how the US has suffered from its diversity. We promote a false myth as a 'melting pot' where everyone can achieve the 'American Dream' but we know that is really a lie. Yes, there are many opportunities here, but for many immigrants and black people achieving a better life is an ongoing struggle.
Racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination and hatred due in large part to our diversityhas undermined the well-being of many in this country. It's true we don't have an emperor or king/queen to promote and uphold our values and beliefs about who we are (maybe that is what our Constitution does), but we struggle to be compassionate, caring and equitable.
Given what we've witnessed about human behavior over the millenia, I often think that God (in our creation story in the Bible) made a terrible mistake creating human beings. It was a calculated risk that God was willing to take, but it failed miserably to live up to the expectations. I am not optimistic that humans will ever achieve a the level of compassion and empathy that we all would like to see in this world.
I was fascinated to learn about Chiune Sugihara (1900-1986)-someone I had never heard about before. I will do some research into his life and good works. There was a diplomatic consul from Portugal during World War II- Aristides de Sousa Mendes (here is a link to his story) who was stationed in Bordeaux, France and issued 30,000 visas to Jews so they could escape the Nazis (I have a very close friend here in Boston whose mother's family was issued one of these visas-they escaped to Cape Verde and then South America before coming to the US). There is a wonderful movie about him-The Consul Of Bordeaux- that tells his story. Has anyone ever written the story of Chiune Sugihara? (Another book project for you!).
We have much to discuss and so I do hope after Covid (we get our second vaccination in two weeks) and this book project, Sherry and I will plan a trip to Japan-to spend time with you, to make pilgrimages to Hiroshima and Nagasaki to offer our prayers for forgiveness and to enjoy the beauties and delicacies of your country. She's always asking me about what you have to say in your latest email!
Be well and stay safe Allen
LETTER TO THE EDITOR, BOSTON GLOBE (APRIL 5, 2022)
We see the word Genocide filing our newspapers and other media on a daily basis as the unrelenting Russian devastation of Ukraine drags on. We see the horrific photos of what acts of Genocide look like. The scale of this murder and mayhem is often beyond our capacity to understand and feel.
How do we really learn about Genocide? I have spent many years reading and thinking about it, not as a scholar, but as a human being. I feel I owe it to the victims of Genocide to learn and comprehend so that their memories are not forgotten. Slavery, the destruction of our Native Peoples, the Atomic Bombs, the Holocaust-the list of Genocides, sadly, is unbearably long. Read the astonishing book by Samantha Power, A Problem From Hell, to experience Genocide up close and personal and also to learn about the unconscionable inaction and cowardice of our leaders who failed to respond to Genocide with decisiveness.
As a sculptor, I recently completed a sculpture called Tree of a Thousand Deaths: Honoring the Memory of Victims of Genocide. The piece resembles a tree filled with molded hands-each covered in dirt-which I used to represent the victims of Genocide who lie buried beneath the earth in unmarked graves. Because the piece is so graphic, I suspect that many art institutions I've reached out to find it unacceptable for their patrons, too stark and too disturbing to show. Yet, experiencing any work of art-be it poetry, artwork or music- that disturbs and stirs the soul is precisely how we begin to comprehend the horrors of Genocide in a visceral and intimate way. I sincerely hope that art institutions, performance venues and other media find the courage and forthrightness to allow the work of all artists to share their pain and rage with the public so Genocide is not simply a word in a newspaper headline.
We see the word Genocide filing our newspapers and other media on a daily basis as the unrelenting Russian devastation of Ukraine drags on. We see the horrific photos of what acts of Genocide look like. The scale of this murder and mayhem is often beyond our capacity to understand and feel.
How do we really learn about Genocide? I have spent many years reading and thinking about it, not as a scholar, but as a human being. I feel I owe it to the victims of Genocide to learn and comprehend so that their memories are not forgotten. Slavery, the destruction of our Native Peoples, the Atomic Bombs, the Holocaust-the list of Genocides, sadly, is unbearably long. Read the astonishing book by Samantha Power, A Problem From Hell, to experience Genocide up close and personal and also to learn about the unconscionable inaction and cowardice of our leaders who failed to respond to Genocide with decisiveness.
As a sculptor, I recently completed a sculpture called Tree of a Thousand Deaths: Honoring the Memory of Victims of Genocide. The piece resembles a tree filled with molded hands-each covered in dirt-which I used to represent the victims of Genocide who lie buried beneath the earth in unmarked graves. Because the piece is so graphic, I suspect that many art institutions I've reached out to find it unacceptable for their patrons, too stark and too disturbing to show. Yet, experiencing any work of art-be it poetry, artwork or music- that disturbs and stirs the soul is precisely how we begin to comprehend the horrors of Genocide in a visceral and intimate way. I sincerely hope that art institutions, performance venues and other media find the courage and forthrightness to allow the work of all artists to share their pain and rage with the public so Genocide is not simply a word in a newspaper headline.
Response from Andrew Bacevich to my Email February 21, 2022
Dear Mr. Spivack,
Thank you for your thoughtful note. I am obliged to admit that you grasped the essence of our problem -- collective moral cluelessness -- much more quickly than I did.
Best wishes,
Andrew Bacevich
My Email To Andrew Bacevich After His Interview With
Chris Lydon On The Open Source Radio Show
On February 20, 2022
Dear Mr. Bacevich-
I heard your discussion today with Chris Lydon and want to thank you for your clarity and insight. I agree that this country is in deep trouble and our obsession with asserting military power above all else is largely the cause. We have truly lost our way and seem willing to sacrifice so many young men and women and spend trillions to promote this failed approach to leadership.
I chose to join the Navy in 1969 to avoid being drafted. In 1972, I was stationed in San Diego on the USS O'Callahan as we prepared to deploy to Vietnam for gunfire support. As the gunnery officer, I coordinated our gunfire support operations. I had significant misgivings about military service but chose to serve rather than head to Canada. Shortly before our deployment, our GS team was in the trainer in Coronado honing our skills and I had an epiphany: I was preparing to kill Vietnamese based on perpetual lies disseminated day after day by our military and the government leaders. I was not prepared to do that. I could not and would not let the military distort my sense of justice. I left the trainer and went directly to the chaplain's office to discuss my misgivings. Three months later, I was discharged as a conscientious objector (this was during the time of Adm. Elmo Zumwalt).
I made that decision 50 years ago. I have never regretted it. I realized I had a moral backbone that understood what was true and what was not and I refused to be bullied by my CO who kept admonishing me that "you don't understand-you're not responsible, you're following my orders." I was responsible for my actions. Most importantly, I didn't want my ambivalence to in any way endanger the men on our ship.
Hearing you speak today brought me back to that time in my life and affirmed what I did. I only wish more of our soldiers would have the courage to say no to their senseless sacrifices. I deeply appreciate your willingness to rethink and advocate for an entirely different way of understanding our misguided policies that enrich corporations, promote the careers of military leadership and damage the lives of so many soldiers and their families.
Allen Spivack
PS I've become a sculptor in my later years and much of my work focuses on issues of gun violence and genocide. It has served as an outlet for my sense of despair and disgust.
Dear Mr. Spivack,
Thank you for your thoughtful note. I am obliged to admit that you grasped the essence of our problem -- collective moral cluelessness -- much more quickly than I did.
Best wishes,
Andrew Bacevich
My Email To Andrew Bacevich After His Interview With
Chris Lydon On The Open Source Radio Show
On February 20, 2022
Dear Mr. Bacevich-
I heard your discussion today with Chris Lydon and want to thank you for your clarity and insight. I agree that this country is in deep trouble and our obsession with asserting military power above all else is largely the cause. We have truly lost our way and seem willing to sacrifice so many young men and women and spend trillions to promote this failed approach to leadership.
I chose to join the Navy in 1969 to avoid being drafted. In 1972, I was stationed in San Diego on the USS O'Callahan as we prepared to deploy to Vietnam for gunfire support. As the gunnery officer, I coordinated our gunfire support operations. I had significant misgivings about military service but chose to serve rather than head to Canada. Shortly before our deployment, our GS team was in the trainer in Coronado honing our skills and I had an epiphany: I was preparing to kill Vietnamese based on perpetual lies disseminated day after day by our military and the government leaders. I was not prepared to do that. I could not and would not let the military distort my sense of justice. I left the trainer and went directly to the chaplain's office to discuss my misgivings. Three months later, I was discharged as a conscientious objector (this was during the time of Adm. Elmo Zumwalt).
I made that decision 50 years ago. I have never regretted it. I realized I had a moral backbone that understood what was true and what was not and I refused to be bullied by my CO who kept admonishing me that "you don't understand-you're not responsible, you're following my orders." I was responsible for my actions. Most importantly, I didn't want my ambivalence to in any way endanger the men on our ship.
Hearing you speak today brought me back to that time in my life and affirmed what I did. I only wish more of our soldiers would have the courage to say no to their senseless sacrifices. I deeply appreciate your willingness to rethink and advocate for an entirely different way of understanding our misguided policies that enrich corporations, promote the careers of military leadership and damage the lives of so many soldiers and their families.
Allen Spivack
PS I've become a sculptor in my later years and much of my work focuses on issues of gun violence and genocide. It has served as an outlet for my sense of despair and disgust.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR, BOSTON GLOBE (DECEMBER 7, 2020)
The older I get, the more the myths we, as Americans, believe about ourselves in this country lose their sheen and veracity. America-you are a compassionate people (if that's so, why no universal health care or affordable day care). America-you are a loving people (if that's so, why are there 400 million guns in this country and an epidemic of gun and family violence). America-you can handle adversity (if that's so, why are so many of us ignoring the very things that will keep us safe from Covid-wearing masks, not traveling, tolerating the need to do without for a time). This pandemic has become a true reckoning on who we are as a people and I believe we've failed. Covid-19 has busted that long held myth that we can handle adversity and will do what is needed to win.
The older I get, the more the myths we, as Americans, believe about ourselves in this country lose their sheen and veracity. America-you are a compassionate people (if that's so, why no universal health care or affordable day care). America-you are a loving people (if that's so, why are there 400 million guns in this country and an epidemic of gun and family violence). America-you can handle adversity (if that's so, why are so many of us ignoring the very things that will keep us safe from Covid-wearing masks, not traveling, tolerating the need to do without for a time). This pandemic has become a true reckoning on who we are as a people and I believe we've failed. Covid-19 has busted that long held myth that we can handle adversity and will do what is needed to win.
email exchange with the boston globe's art critic, murray whyte, about his review of the monet exhibit at the mfa (november 15, 2020)
Dear Murray,
When I saw the MFA was planning another Monet show, I said 'oh no, not another impressionist show!' It's reassuring to read your piece that the show is strong and not just a rerun. And I do appreciate seeing many paintings or sculptures of the same artist in proximity to see how their style and subject evolve. I remember seeing a retrospective of Henry Moore in London that opened my eyes. It included his earliest works which revealed the beginnings of his abstract naturalistic forms as well as emotional drawings he did while in the bomb shelters during the WWII blitz. I was startled to see this series. I also remember seeing a full room at the Tate of Rothkos. I'd only seen his paintings hung singly or paired. This room had at least 12 and I swear the room literally vibrated and swirled with all these paintings together. I had to shut my eyes to get centered! I appreciate you keeping me(us) sane by connecting us to the art world in the absence of museums and for your exquisite writing. Allen Spivack
Murray's Response on November 16, 2020
Thanks for your kind note, Allen! I too was feeling vexed by what to say -- again -- about Monet; but this extraordinary moment provides. I'm actually grateful that the MFA didn't try to reinvent the wheel for this one; we could all use a little balm for the soul, apart from the complications and traumas of everyday life. This show is an escape, and right now, that's fine by me. Best wishes, MW
When I saw the MFA was planning another Monet show, I said 'oh no, not another impressionist show!' It's reassuring to read your piece that the show is strong and not just a rerun. And I do appreciate seeing many paintings or sculptures of the same artist in proximity to see how their style and subject evolve. I remember seeing a retrospective of Henry Moore in London that opened my eyes. It included his earliest works which revealed the beginnings of his abstract naturalistic forms as well as emotional drawings he did while in the bomb shelters during the WWII blitz. I was startled to see this series. I also remember seeing a full room at the Tate of Rothkos. I'd only seen his paintings hung singly or paired. This room had at least 12 and I swear the room literally vibrated and swirled with all these paintings together. I had to shut my eyes to get centered! I appreciate you keeping me(us) sane by connecting us to the art world in the absence of museums and for your exquisite writing. Allen Spivack
Murray's Response on November 16, 2020
Thanks for your kind note, Allen! I too was feeling vexed by what to say -- again -- about Monet; but this extraordinary moment provides. I'm actually grateful that the MFA didn't try to reinvent the wheel for this one; we could all use a little balm for the soul, apart from the complications and traumas of everyday life. This show is an escape, and right now, that's fine by me. Best wishes, MW
ABC-TV Show 'Chronicle' Features the 10th annual flying horse show at the pingree school in 2019
Link to Broadcast:
https://www.wcvb.com/article/craftsmanship-big-and-small/29418382
My piece-Sandy hook 2012-gets a quick visual!
Boston Globe Article about the 2020 studio without walls (sww) show in riverway park brookline, ma
edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?artguid=09292d12-ce9d-4763-9aac-29cc385964ca&appid=1165
LETTER TO THE EDITOR BOSTON GLOBE DECEMBER 13, 2020
Trump and his minions are accountable for this virus carnage
With the advent of the wide distribution of a Covid 19 vaccine and our eventual release from the grip of this virus, I don't want this ray of hope to distract me from remembering the sheer indifference and inaction shown by Trump and his minions. These so-called leaders had it in their power to mobilize the American people to respond to the pandemic with resolve, compassion and real science. Instead they made Covid-19 a political issue that has divided this nation and led to millions of people getting ill and many hundreds of thousands dying. Clearly, many of these illnesses and deaths could have been avoided. When a leader intentionally and with malice causes the unnecessary death and devastation of his own people, doesn't that qualify as a war crime? The International Criminal Court has tried many leaders for such a crime. I trust that history will remember Trump as just that-a war criminal who committed a form of genocide on his own people.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
BOSTON GLOBE JUNE 10, 2019
A Chance Encounter That Transcended US-Chinese Politics
The other day I began dismantling my sculpture displayed at the Studio Without Walls show in the Riverway Park, Brookline. As I started to loosen bolts, I noticed an older man standing nearby and staring at me. I said hello and we began to chat using his phone translator app. It turns out that he lives in China and is in Boston to visit his son, who is a student at Harvard Medical School. He asked me lots of questions about my pieces-'Monument to Lost Gloves'- and I asked him questions too (he's a landscape painter). He offered to help me load the heavy steel pieces into my car. I gladly accepted, and we got things loaded in short order. I thanked him, gave him a hug, and took a photo of the two of us.
The recent warning by the Chinese government questioning the safety of its citizens in the United States left me very concerned. The trade tensions created by Trump's policies add to that suspicion and further divide us. We need more students, business people, scholars, families, artists and the like to visit the United States. And we need to reciprocate in kind. My brief encounter with this visitor from China affirmed the essential value of human connection: talking with each other, showing photos of our family (which I did), sharing a laugh, and having an old Chinese man lighten the load of an old American man.
Trump and his minions are accountable for this virus carnage
With the advent of the wide distribution of a Covid 19 vaccine and our eventual release from the grip of this virus, I don't want this ray of hope to distract me from remembering the sheer indifference and inaction shown by Trump and his minions. These so-called leaders had it in their power to mobilize the American people to respond to the pandemic with resolve, compassion and real science. Instead they made Covid-19 a political issue that has divided this nation and led to millions of people getting ill and many hundreds of thousands dying. Clearly, many of these illnesses and deaths could have been avoided. When a leader intentionally and with malice causes the unnecessary death and devastation of his own people, doesn't that qualify as a war crime? The International Criminal Court has tried many leaders for such a crime. I trust that history will remember Trump as just that-a war criminal who committed a form of genocide on his own people.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
BOSTON GLOBE JUNE 10, 2019
A Chance Encounter That Transcended US-Chinese Politics
The other day I began dismantling my sculpture displayed at the Studio Without Walls show in the Riverway Park, Brookline. As I started to loosen bolts, I noticed an older man standing nearby and staring at me. I said hello and we began to chat using his phone translator app. It turns out that he lives in China and is in Boston to visit his son, who is a student at Harvard Medical School. He asked me lots of questions about my pieces-'Monument to Lost Gloves'- and I asked him questions too (he's a landscape painter). He offered to help me load the heavy steel pieces into my car. I gladly accepted, and we got things loaded in short order. I thanked him, gave him a hug, and took a photo of the two of us.
The recent warning by the Chinese government questioning the safety of its citizens in the United States left me very concerned. The trade tensions created by Trump's policies add to that suspicion and further divide us. We need more students, business people, scholars, families, artists and the like to visit the United States. And we need to reciprocate in kind. My brief encounter with this visitor from China affirmed the essential value of human connection: talking with each other, showing photos of our family (which I did), sharing a laugh, and having an old Chinese man lighten the load of an old American man.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR BOSTON GLOBE FEBRUARY 10, 2018
Family Violence Is An Epidemic In Our Society
I was struck by your juxtaposition in Saturday's Globe of the profile of Alexis Smith and the aftermath of her son's murder (Ameen Lacy) with the story about the resignation of a key White House staff, Rob Porter, after revelations came to light about his serial domestic violence in two previous marriages. It's no coincidence. Family violence is the most significant epidemic in this country. And it impacts EVERYONE regardless of their race, ethnicity, socio-economics, or gender.
I know this firsthand because as a clinical social worker, I facilitated domestic abuse groups for men for 12 years and also managed treatment programs for women suffering from trauma and substance use issues. I heard many stories about the long-lasting impact of violence and abuse-in their families of origin, in the intimate relationships and in work settings. The vast majority of the women we treated used drugs and alcohol to cope with their histories of abuse. Also, most of the men in the domestic abuse program I ran had also experienced violence at the hands of their parents, siblings, coaches, and classmates. It was and continues to be ubiquitous and unrelenting. Acknowledging this 'fact of life' about family violence is critical to seeing it for the epidemic that it is.
Family Violence Is An Epidemic In Our Society
I was struck by your juxtaposition in Saturday's Globe of the profile of Alexis Smith and the aftermath of her son's murder (Ameen Lacy) with the story about the resignation of a key White House staff, Rob Porter, after revelations came to light about his serial domestic violence in two previous marriages. It's no coincidence. Family violence is the most significant epidemic in this country. And it impacts EVERYONE regardless of their race, ethnicity, socio-economics, or gender.
I know this firsthand because as a clinical social worker, I facilitated domestic abuse groups for men for 12 years and also managed treatment programs for women suffering from trauma and substance use issues. I heard many stories about the long-lasting impact of violence and abuse-in their families of origin, in the intimate relationships and in work settings. The vast majority of the women we treated used drugs and alcohol to cope with their histories of abuse. Also, most of the men in the domestic abuse program I ran had also experienced violence at the hands of their parents, siblings, coaches, and classmates. It was and continues to be ubiquitous and unrelenting. Acknowledging this 'fact of life' about family violence is critical to seeing it for the epidemic that it is.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR BOSTON GLOBE AUGUST 29, 2017
THE TRAGEDY IN TEXAS AND WHAT WE CAN LEARN ABOUT OURSELVES FROM THIS EXPERIENCE
The photos and stories in the Globe of the horrific and historic storm devastating Texas over the last few days made me fully aware that helping people in a crisis is color-blind. Black people helped white people to safety-and vice versa. Latinos saved lives in daring rescues. Women helped men. I suspect people of all races, ethnicities and sexual orientations gladly shared their water and food, willingly offered words of support and comfort and extended a helping hand over and over again. I suspect that undocumented residents saved the lives of desperate US citizens. I suspect that Democrats didn't ask party affiliation when rescuing stranded families from ravaging flood waters.
In each case, the distinction we customarily make between US and THEM ceased to exist. The good, noble people of Texas only saw the true humanity of their neighbors. Let's not forget this important life lesson when things return to some sense of normalcy.
THE TRAGEDY IN TEXAS AND WHAT WE CAN LEARN ABOUT OURSELVES FROM THIS EXPERIENCE
The photos and stories in the Globe of the horrific and historic storm devastating Texas over the last few days made me fully aware that helping people in a crisis is color-blind. Black people helped white people to safety-and vice versa. Latinos saved lives in daring rescues. Women helped men. I suspect people of all races, ethnicities and sexual orientations gladly shared their water and food, willingly offered words of support and comfort and extended a helping hand over and over again. I suspect that undocumented residents saved the lives of desperate US citizens. I suspect that Democrats didn't ask party affiliation when rescuing stranded families from ravaging flood waters.
In each case, the distinction we customarily make between US and THEM ceased to exist. The good, noble people of Texas only saw the true humanity of their neighbors. Let's not forget this important life lesson when things return to some sense of normalcy.
ARRIVING LATE (2018)
MATERIALS: Steel Plate and Steel Rod
This piece was donated to our local Jamaica Plain Arts Council (who supports and organizes our annual Open Studios weekend) to be sold at the JPAC's annual fundraising event.
MATERIALS: Steel Plate and Steel Rod
This piece was donated to our local Jamaica Plain Arts Council (who supports and organizes our annual Open Studios weekend) to be sold at the JPAC's annual fundraising event.
TITLE: Case Closed: No Further Action Required (2016)
MATERIALS: Plastic shelving unit; cardboard file boxes; and
laminated information cards
This sculpture was selected to be part of a show entitled STATE OF THE UNION at the Winfisky Gallery at Salem State University. The show ran from November 9-December 14, 2016. With the impending election of a new president, the curator, Professor Ken Reyer, wanted to consider the concerns and hopes for our future.The proposal fo ratios show and the selection of th artwork happened well BEFORE the outcome of the election was known. Themes as diverse as the environment, social and income inequities, and education were covered in the show. STATE OF THE UNION received a lot of media coverage because several student groups strongly objected to the subject matter of some artwork and as a result,the show closed down for three days. The school's administration made some reasonable accommodations and the show was reopened.
"America the beautiful" displayed at
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The second annual Harmony and Hope (H&H) event was held on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at the First Church, in Roxbury, MA. The event brought together classical musicians, a gospel choir and artists to create a place to reflect on and bring healing to those affected by violence in our community. Several hundred people gathered to listen to a string quartet, sing along with a gospel choir and to bear witness to family members whose loved ones had been murdered. H&H was a thoroughly touching and uplifting event that promotes the coming together of diverse communities to challenge the level of violence in the city of Boston.
Allen had an opportunity to show his work, America The Beautiful: Take A Book/Leave A Book; Take A Gun/Leave A Gun, at the event. Allen showed his piece, Sandy Hook 2012 at the first H&H event in 2016. |