Alderpersons Advocate for the Removal of Controversial Art Exhibit at Chicago Cultural Center

CHICAGO (WLS) — An exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center is coming under fire.

A group of more than 25 alderpersons in Chicago has collectively written to Mayor Brandon Johnson, urging him to take down a prominent piece of art. The controversial display in question features a large puppet known as the “US-Israel War Machine.”

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The art installation titled “Potential Energy Chicago Puppets Up Close” is currently showcased at the Chicago Cultural Center. This public exhibition, which is free for all to view, has sparked debate due to the inclusion of a contentious puppet that a significant portion of the Chicago City Council wishes to see removed. A total of 27 alderpersons have endorsed a formal request directed at Mayor Johnson, with Alderwoman Debra Silverstein taking the lead on this initiative.

“I believe in freedom of speech and freedom of expression, but I think this crosses the line into hate,” Silverstein said.

Silverstein and her fellow council members have labeled the puppet as both antisemitic and anti-American in nature. The dual-faced protest puppet portrays a wounded Uncle Sam on one side and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the other. The wooden platforms on which they stand bear inscriptions such as “children killers” and “murders.”

“This puppet is a protest puppet that was used in protest actions in Chicago, protesting the war in Gaza, and it was created by local artists,” Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Founder Blair Thomas said.

Thomas’ organization is financially sponsoring the Cultural Center exhibit. He called the piece of art an anti-war puppet. He said the curators decided to use it because protest puppetry is a part of Chicago history.

“I can understand, you know, the request for the removal of it, but I also think that it’s an important thing to display,” Thomas said. “I don’t think it’s exhibiting any language that is overtly antisemitic.”

As the only Jewish member of City Council, Silverstein finds the puppet extremely offensive. She said so do many of her constituents, who have called her office to complain.

The city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events agreed to remove the display’s title, “US-Israel War Machine,” and replace it with a sensitive content warning.

This is Silverstein’s latest battle with the Johnson administration over antisemitism concerns.

“This has been a reoccurring theme, and I’m getting tired of having to speak up against it,” Silverstein said. “It would be nice if the mayor’s office would learn he has alienated the entire Jewish community, and this is not making it better.”

Silverstein said some of her colleagues want to hold a hearing to call the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events commissioner to explain how she vets art exhibits in public buildings.