Russell Senate Office Building to Host Holocaust Survivor Photo Exhibit

Portraits of holocaust survivors holding objects from their past will hang in the Russell Senate Office Building (2 Constitution Ave. NE) next week as part of a new touring exhibit.

The photo series, “Survivors and What They Carry,” features 20 portraits of Los Angeles-based holocaust survivors and aims to “capture the essence of these remarkable people, many of whom pose with an object from their past,” according to a press release.

The black and white photos, captured by photographer Barbara Mack, show survivors clutching items such as a faded photo, a Kiddush cup or a violin.

The exhibit will run from May 2 to 6.

More information from the exhibit’s press release:

The Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust (LAMOTH) proudly announces the exhibit Portraits in Black and White: Survivors and What They Carry, 20 powerful portraits of Los Angeles-based Holocaust survivors by photographer Barbara Mack will be on display at the Russell Senate Rotunda from May 2 through May 6, in commemoration of the annual Days of Remembrance.

Survivors and What They Carry captures the essence of these remarkable people, many of whom pose with an object from their past. Cherished objects and family heirlooms — a faded photo, a Kiddush cup, a violin — add powerful and evocative layers to these stunning images. The black and white portraits are accompanied by fascinating life stories. When interviewed by the Jewish Journal during the show’s Los Angeles premiere in January, Mack said, “Not everybody brought objects, but for all those people who were carrying something, it made this exhibit different from most Holocaust survivor exhibits. Each time you look at it, you think, ‘Why is this here?’ It adds mystery to the pictures.”

The show is the culmination of Barbara Mack’s seven-year collaboration with Holocaust survivors from Café Europa, a club sponsored by Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles that invites survivors to meet weekly to build supportive relationships and participate in social and educational activities and community celebrations.
The exhibit was invited to adorn the walls of Congress at the Russell Senate Rotunda during in commemoration of the annual Days of Remembrance. and is an example LAMOTH’s mission to preserve important stories and continue to share historical lessons. “Many survivors have written their memoirs, but so many have not because it’s a huge undertaking. That their history can live on in the context of this exhibit is a very powerful thing,” says Executive Director Samara Hutman.

Survivors and What They Carry concludes its Washington stay with a stirring performance by the Argus Quartet on Friday, May 6 at 12:15 PM. The quartet will be playing music composed by two high school students inspired by a meeting with Holocaust survivors.

WHAT: PORTRAITS IN BLACK AND WHITE: SURVIVORS AND WHAT THEY CARRY

WHEN: MAY 2 10:00AM-6:00PM

MAY 3, 4, & 5: 7:00AM-6:30PM

MAY 6 7:00AM-3:00PM

MAY 6: 12:15PM PERFORMANCE BY ARGUS QUARTET

WHERE: RUSSELL SENATE ROTUNDA

Photo by Barbara Mack