The Presidents, 1933 - 2001: History of Presidential Conferences at Hofstra University
September 8 - December 8, 2008
David Filderman Gallery, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, 9th floor
The Presidential Conferences began at Hofstra University in 1982 with the examination of the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The most recent conference, held in 2005, focused on William Jefferson Clinton. Each conference is designed to present a balanced combination of perspectives: academic and scholarly comment, journalist comment and first-hand accounts from decision-makers.
The exhibition featured in the David Filderman Gallery, ninth floor, presents selected artwork from the Hofstra University Museum’s permanent collection which was created during the time period in which these presidents governed, from 1933 – 2001. Additionally, display cases contain presidential conference memorabilia and information about each individual conference.
The selected artworks reflect how an artist’s creative output can be influenced by the times in which they live and, conversely, how their work can deeply influence society. Visual artists have responded with art works that convey the emotions of the country, whether positive or negative, to the numerous cultural, political, scientific, and societal events of the 20th century. These artworks were made to evoke an emotional response, to promote, to protest, to memorialize, to commemorate, to document or to celebrate specific occurrences of this past century. Examples in this exhibition range from Thomas Hart Benton’s war propaganda poster, The Sowers, of 1942 to Patrick Nagatani’s Nuclear Enchantment photographic series in 1989.
This exhibition is presented in conjunction with Hofstra University's Educate '08 programs.