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Boris Lurie Obituary

LURIE--Boris. A founder of the No! Art movement, died January 7, 2008 after having suffered a massive stroke over a year earlier. He was born July 18, 1924 in Leningrad and taken to Latvia as an infant. At the age of sixteen, he, along with his father, was put into a concentration camp. Most of his family was murdered during the war. Upon his liberation by the Soviets, he assisted the American occupation forces and then emigrated to the U.S. Here, he became a painter, writer and poet. He remained the Zionist he'd been since childhood and his experiences during World War II only strengthened his radical politics. His art reflected a distaste for the easy consumerism of the post-war boom, the advertising which prodded it, and its effect on American art and culture. His multiple exhibitions culminated in one at the inaugural of the Buchenwald Museum.

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Published by New York Times from Jan. 8 to Jan. 9, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Boris Lurie

20 Entries

natalia e. woytasik

January 22, 2008

so we will wait till time is gone, in vibonati at the palazzo vecchio of il cilento, he gave us spirit and gave us the tought for the new generation in europa - and all around! we love you, n.e.w.

Frank Sisco

January 20, 2008

My deepest sympathies to all Boris's friends and relatives, who will miss him dearly.

David Katz

January 16, 2008

i had the honor and privilege of meeting Boris through Clayton Patterson and interviewing him for The Villager and Jewish Quarterly. He was a profoundly human, deeply talented individual who had managed to retain his humanity and identity and talent despite the the penultimate adversity and extreme horror of the Holocaust, and not only survive but create astounding works of art from his experiences. Boris was tough, opinionated, feisty, unafraid to shock or provoke, intellectually courageous, and unlike many of the university trained, MFA generated artists of today, had never relinquished his anger, a quality I find in short supply in today's art world. He was not afraid to piss people off in an effort to make them think; he was not given to pretty pictures designed to soothe the sensitive bourgeois soul, or color coordinate with the new couch. He will be sorely missed by all who believe in the power of art to change the world.

Alan Moore

January 15, 2008

I did not know Boris well, but the one time I met with him for lunch was indelible. His amazing cluttered apartment, full of his art and life, his brusque, earnest and intense manner and beliefs impressed me deeply. Clayton introduced me to his art, and the movement in which he was such an important figure. Yesterday in my class, after I downloaded Colin's obituary, I again showed Boris' "Train Car" piece in the class and read the obit aloud. His artistic testament is forceful and significant, and will continue to gather force with time.

Efroim Snyder

January 15, 2008

Efroim Snyder remembering

A Time Not To Forget by Aldo Tambellini

Aldo Tambellini

January 14, 2008

To Boris
remembering the many many times coming from Cambridge, MA, I stayed at your apartment on E 66th ST…the late evening & half of the nights, 2 artists talking about WWII-world politics-social issues-sometimes debating our beliefs in ART & yes, discussing the state of the ARTS-our long discussions on the phone-the many letters with clippings you sent me which led to even more discussions

this old friend misses you

This poem for you, Boris:

the supersonic
wind
blows creative
thoughts
away
from mental prisons
to the sky
blowing
past the planets
away
throughout dark
mysterious matter
echoing
among galaxies
away
where creative
minds
burn
their visions
with the
energy
of billions
fiery stars

clayton patterson

January 12, 2008

see NY Times obit Saturday January 12th- 08
for Boris- - we will never give up, we will never give in, we will never quite- the struggle continues- our voices will eventually be heard and the message will be understood - you will be remembered- the struggle continues.
we love you brother-
R.I.P.

John Dotson

January 11, 2008

A few years ago, my friend Aleksey Dayen made it possible for me to begin to experience the work of Boris Lurie in New York. My heart is permanently altered by the overwhelming power--the gift and the demand--made by these creations. I could and would never separate myself from this connection--which seems to me the true function of great art. I regret that I was not able to meet Boris Lurie in person--that I feel as a loss. The work endures in stark passion--and unfathomable compassion, I feel. I am grateful to Boris Lurie for enduring and speaking out.

Lisa & Beverly Kuzmenko

January 10, 2008

Boris was friend of my fathers for many years, and in turn became a friend our family. He was a quiet man, an honest man, with a voice that you thought was from God above. When he laughed, you knew he could feel it in the ends of his toes! What a pleasure to talk with and wisdom only life could teach. He could always make you smile. He will most surely be missed. He would end every phone call ….”Be well”, so I will end my entry asking him the same……be well….

Stanley Barkan

January 10, 2008

I met Boris via my friend Aleksey Dayen, primarily to consider editing
his memoir. He impressed me as a man of extended experience, who has crossed over from the Old World to the New and has made a lasting impression on both sides. Shortly after my initial meeting, he had the massive stroke that eventually killed him. I regret that I didn't get to know him better.

Boris Lurie, Aleksey Dayen and Aldo Tambellini in Winter 2005 Photo by Anna Salamone

January 9, 2008

David Russi

January 9, 2008

You've always been a presence in my life, yet I only met you about three years ago. I will never forget you, and I will celebrate our birthday thinking about you every year.

Give 'em hell, I know you will!

Aleksey Dayen

January 9, 2008

Boris (Borya--I use to call him) was my friend and a teacher. I'll miss this great artist, poet, novelist. He was the greatest man I ever meet. RIP

Matthias Reichelt

January 9, 2008

Dear Boris,
it has been great to know you and to have you as a friend. I am sad you had to go. Be sure I continue to work for your art, which received more respect in Europe than in the U.S. But things will change!
Goodbye

January 9, 2008

Max Michelson

January 9, 2008

Boris, my dear long-time friend, former classmate and fellow survivor of the Holocaust, we have shared a lifetime of joy and of pain, I will miss you. Max.

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