Jerusalem Biennale Gallery Tour & Panel Discussion

At the first ever Jerusalem Biennale:

Sunday September 22: Guided gallery tour by Andi Arnovitz and Ruth Schreiber.
1st tour 4 PM; 2nd tour 5 PM

Monday September 23: Panel Discussion "Ancient Texts & Contemporary Art" with biennale artists Andi Arnovitz, Ruth Schreiber, Ken Goldman & others on the nexus between Jewish sources, inspiration and modern issues. In English.
Gallery and reception 8 PM
Panel discussion 8:30 PM.

Achim Hasid Complex, 45 Emek Refaim St, Jerusalem. Co-sponsored by Kol HaOt.

More info on the biennale here.

Jubilation - Sukkot Art by Archie Granot

"Jubilation" by artist Archie Granot was inspired by the festival of Succot - Feast of Tabernacles - and the temporary booth in which we live during the festival. 

This year the festival starts the evening of September 18 and ends September 26.

The palm trees in the two outer windows symbolize the Lulav - one of the four species used ritually during the festival. 

Creativity and Healing in a Jewish Context

Margolis - Learning to live alone

Judith Margolis' chapter on "Creativity and Healing in a Jewish Context," will be published in the anthology Judaism and Health A Handbook of Practical, Professional and Scholarly Resources (Fall 2013, by Jewish Lights Publishers). 

The essay describes the process by which many of her paintings, drawings and artist books came about as a "creative response to infirmity."  The chapter also includes references to work created in a relevant context by other artists, including Jewish Art Salon members Robert Kirschbaum and Susan Kaplow.

Andi Arnovitz in Haaretz about the Jerusalem Biennale

Andi Arnovitz and her worry beads

At first-ever Jerusalem Biennale, Jewish art goes from old-world to avant-garde.

By Danna Harman

From a modern-day spin on 'Chicken Little' to works by Haredi women artists, the Jerusalem Biennale for Contemporary Jewish Art presents various displays of cutting-edge Jewish creativity.

Jewish art is not hip. It can be beautiful, sure. It can be meaningful, of course. It can be valuable, no doubt. But cutting-edge? Current? Cool? Meh.

Article continues here.

Helène Aylon’s Journey From Rebbetzin to Internationally Acclaimed Feminist Artist

Helène Aylon grew up in Borough Park, Brooklyn, in a tight-knit world of Orthodox families. From early on, she was a bit of a rebel, but that didn’t stop her from following the path prescribed for her. At 18, she married a rabbi, and they had two children. Then, when she was just 25, her husband fell ill; she was a widow by 30.

This was in 1960. The assumption then was that a woman in her position would marry her husband’s brother. Instead, Aylon became an artist. Her work, as she explains in a memoir published last year and titled Whatever Is Contained Must Be Released: My Jewish Orthodox Girlhood, My Life as a Feminist Artist, engaged with the liberation movements of her time—women from patriarchy, the colonized from colonizer, the earth from nuclear devastation—until she tackled the ultimate liberation: that of God from man.
Continue article and podcast here.

Hyman Bloom reviewed by Richard McBee

“Hyman Bloom: Paintings and Drawings (1940 – 2005),” currently at White Box (the cutting edge international art space on Broome Street), is a rare opportunity to observe the creative process of one of the most important practitioners of 20th century Jewish Art in America. Totally dominating the pristine gallery space are 18 large oil paintings of rabbis each holding a large Torah scroll. It is as if the artist invited you into the most private recesses of his studio (which in reality he never would permit), put his arm around you and explained, “this is exactly how an artist makes paintings about being a modern Jew.”  Considering the subject of the paintings and the nature of the venue, this is a shocking and gusty show.
Continue article here.

Judith Margolis in Architectural Worlds Magazine

Margolis - Far away and long ago

Judith Margolis's collages were the subject of an article in Chinese, in AW Architectural Worlds Magazine, 2013 1/ Vol 149, pgs. 26-29,  published in Shenzhen, China. 

The article showcases The House Collages, an ongoing series of works that Margolis has been creating for 35 years, with the subject of SHELTER being their central theme. 

A Fountain Of Gardens by Judith Joseph

Ketubot and Hebrew Paintings 

The exhibit title is from Song of Songs, IV:15:  Thou art a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and flowing streams from Lebanon.  For artist Judith Joseph, the verse expresses the connection she feels between sacred text and creative inspiration, as well as the joy and sensuality she expresses in her art.

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park, Illinois.

Oct 8 - Nov 3, 2013. 

Artist Reception is Oct. 8, 6:30 PM.