The Presidents, 1933-2001:
History of Presidential Conferences at Hofstra University
September 8-October 26, 2008
Rochelle and Irwin A. Lowenfeld Conference and Exhibition Hall
Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, 10th Floor, South Campus
September 8-December 8, 2008
David Filderman Gallery
Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, Ninth Floor, South Campus
The selection of Hofstra University for the site of the third presidential debate on October 15, 2008, underscores Hofstra’s strong reputation as an international center for the study of the American presidency. Since 1982, Hofstra University has hosted conferences that examine and assess the modern presidency, beginning with Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the most recent, held in 2005, focusing on William Jefferson Clinton. Each conference is designed to present a balanced combination of perspectives: academic and scholarly analysis, journalist comment and first-hand accounts from decision-makers. Hofstra University has hosted four former Presidents (Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, and William Jefferson Clinton) and numerous international policy-makers and heads of state.
This exhibition presents selected artwork from the Hofstra University Museum’s permanent collection which were created during the time period in which these presidents governed, from 1933 – 2001. These works represent artistic responses to the political, societal, and cultural issues of the times. Additionally, the display cases contain presidential conference memorabilia and information about each individual conference.
The artworks in this exhibition 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 artworks 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 of 1989.
Artists continue to comment on the events of their times, creating artworks that convey the artist’s reaction to and feelings about what is happening in their life, country and world. Divisive issues and controversial events that generate discord in the United States and around the world, as well as extraordinary events of courage and fortitude, innovation, and progress continually provide the impetus and inspiration for the artists of the day.
The exhibition The Presidents, 1933 – 2001: History of Presidential Conferences at Hofstra University is displayed in two Museum gallery locations in the Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library. On view through October 26, 2008, the exhibition in the Rochelle and Irwin A. Lowenfeld Conference and Exhibition Hall, located one floor up on the 10th floor, offers a display of the conference programs and selected photographs from the individual conferences.
