In the eyes of the beholder
A poster in which the eye may be tricked into believing that New Zealand’s Prime Minister is a Nazi posing in front of a flag in which the swastika has been replaced by a dollar sign is being distributed in Wellington and offered for sale on the internet.
The poster
Key was born in Auckland. His mother was a Jewish migrant from Austria
According to media reports, the poster has not been photoshopped but is original artwork and easily deceives the eye into portraying the Prime Minister as a uniformed German in the Nazi era.
The website on which the poster is available states…
“Toothfish is a fictional environmental activist cum street artist who uses posters to raise awareness of environmental/political issues which affect you.
In the lead-up to the country’s 20 September 2014 election Toothfish has produced a poster in honor of the leader of the National Party (as well as current Prime Minister) – the Rt. Hon. John Key.
You are welcome to download a free PDF of the poster or a sheet of stickers(See below) or you can make a $50 donation (plus $15P &P) and get one of the 100 A1 copies on 250gsm satin paper signed by Toothfish itself. (See Posters for details). Any funds raised will go back into putting up more posters on the street.”
Media reports state: “The work of an anonymous, environmentally-driven political collective calling itself “Toothfish”, the poster’s purpose is set forth on the outfit’s website: “Let’s be clear – the poster is talking about capitalism, control and the increasing privatisation of government.
“The image suggests that the naked pursuit of money is akin to an extremist doctrine; one in which human lives and the environment are being sacrificed on the altar of expediency for the profit of our ruling elites.
“The poster is NOT saying John Key is a Nazi.”
The artist is anonymous.
Stephen Goodman, president of the New Zealand Jewish Council told J-Wire: “While unpleasant it is not as objectionable as it might be. It would very much depend on the context in which it was used.”
J-Wire asked toothfish.org that, given that the Prime Minister’s mother was Jewish from Austria, if the poster of him in what appears to be a German uniform with a flag with a red white and black dollar sign may be offensive? The responded: Yes – it might be construed as being offensive..”
J-Wire has asked the Prime Minister’s office to comment.
Excellent pickup.
I don’t like this at all. It is a step in the wrong direction. I don’t believe this requires any explanation or discussion at all. It is what it is.