Speakers


We have moved!


Our new website is jewishartsalon.org

Visit us there for the latest updates on exhibits, events and opportunities.

Our new presenters page: http://jewishartsalon.org/speakers/


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Our roster of Jewish presenters ranges from leading artists and curators to influential art historians who have risen to the top of their fields. 

We bring you a wide variety of inspiring, educational and entertaining art lectures and workshops, and will be happy to provide you with information about a speaker. The amount of the fee for each speaker varies depending on a variety of factors. In addition to the speaker fee, travel expenses will, in general, be the responsibility of the host. 


Email jewishartsalon@gmail.com for more info.


HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS

Workshops may vary in length; most can be adapted to 2 - 4 hour time slots. Some require technical equipment. 
Exploring Identity - Mezuzah. Writing One's Own Prayer - What Make a Jewish Home - Creating your own mezuzah. 
Mezuzot have been around for centuries. There is evidence that the tradition was practiced in Jerusalem during the Second Temple period, before the year 70 CE. Over the centuries, artists around the world have crafted decorative mezuzah cases from a wide range of materials. Participants will create their own.
Embracing Sacred Time - Havdalah Set. Participants learn to create Spice Boxes, Candle Holders, Wine Cups, or Havdalah Plates.

Holiday Art Objects
Gain an exciting new understanding about the Jewish holidays through contemporary art. We will examine how leading contemporary artists have portrayed Jewish customs in images, such as Megillat Esther pages inspired by graphic novels, a seder plate on wheels, contemporary omer art & others.
Create visual work inspired by your own images or contemporary art work. Take part in discussions around these visuals. 
3 Options: Purim - Make a gragger; Pesach - Make your own seder plate; Omer - make an omer counter. No artistic experience necessary.


Freedom Expanded (Passover)
In this art workshop participants will explore the meaning of freedom through both Jewish and universal lenses. The Jewish vision of freedom arises from the experience of the Israelite slaves in Egypt, reenacted each year at the Passover seder. Recent world events such as September 11th, the NSA surveillance, and Nelson Mandela's passing, invite us to contemplate our own interpretations of personal and public freedoms. 
Participants will create freedom images by embossing and coloring metal foil sheets. These shapes can be square, rectangular, or cut into shapes relevant to Passover. The objects can remain individual pieces, or can be combined to create a community project: strung together with wire they make a mobile.
This can also be structured as a lecture only.
  
Illuminated Manuscript Painting Workshop
Participants will be supplied with xerox copies of Jewish illuminated manuscripts to trace and copy from. We will discuss various the Megillah Esther and the Haggadah, and various customs relating to them.
 Participants will be encouraged to take parts of the manuscript paintings, transform them and incorporate into a composition of their own. Painting techniques and gilding will be taught. This project will teach participants to bridge old and new, learning about and taking inspiration from Jewish religion and history to create a contemporary artwork.
Midrash and Megillah painting workshop.
The session will explore the influences of ancient cross cultural mythology and midrash. The inspiration often is drawn from ancient, traditional cultures, (like Persian miniature painting and Jewish illuminated manuscripts) yet the participants are creating contemporary art - here and now. Learn how to make these links between old and new and how to recycle stories and myth. Participants will explore this multicultural mosaic and, via hands-on experience, create their own place in it. Copies of ancient manuscript paintings and a full color copy print of the presenting artist's Esther Megillah commission will be available for reference. Participants will be encouraged to take parts of paintings, transform them and incorporate into a final composition of their own.


We will build the temple together
Audience and presenter explore the possibilities of the 3rd temple through role playing exercises and text study. 
Participants will be engaged in a text study and group-dynamic-performance, in which all participants become "actors" and "human props" in the environment of the performance. This piece will be followed by a short presentation on the lineage of this kind of work, citing psychological movements such as primal therapy, art collectives like fluxus, game theory and theories of progressive education.

Jewish Form in Art
When we think about "Jewish Art" we often think of art containing Jewish content: paintings with images of menorahs, historical scenes, and other Jewish symbols. Jewish form, on the other hand, is the way by which Judaism takes form: the mechanisms that make Shabbat, Seders, and Mitzvot possible. In this workshop, we will dive into the possibilities of Jewish Form and art through discussion and group work. We will read passages from the work of the media theorist/pioneer Marshall McLuhan and consider his relationship to Jewish ritual, form, and content.

The Evolution of Prayer through Play
Prayer has evolved over time. The prayers that we use today are made from historical collections of past prayer ideas, with room for personal reflection. In this workshop, we will share ideas and feelings of prayer- an often intimate subject- with the goal of uncovering new desires for worship in the process. We will map out our understanding of prayer and its potential, learn about the contemporary artist Oliver Herring, whose revolutionary and devotional performance/game TASK, will help us to generate new ideas about prayer.

Freedom through play: the dog with(out) a leash
In this workshop, this performance artist probes issues of morality and desire through engagement with workshop participants. Ask yourself: what do I desire? Why do I desire this? How does my desire relate to my personal/ Jewish ethical codes? 
We live our lives by assessing our body and mind's desires, and attempting to fulfill them. What's this process all about? In this workshop the artist will lead the group through a series of exercise and performative We reflections focused on moral codes from Judaism and other religions. We will explore issues of desire, focus, and meditation, to get to the bottom of what we want, and the conflict our desires may presents to our internal moral codes.

Finding Home: “Parallels in mythology from around the world”. Referring to mythologies like Indian Matsya story, Noah’s Ark story, Jonah and the fish, Aleksandr Pushkin’s The tale of the fisherman and the little fish” and Gilgamesh story of the Babylonian myth from 2000 BC. Also refers to science/geology for the “flood” that came about due to the rise in sea level caused by the melting of vast glaciers at the end of the Ice Age. Participants will bring to class xeroxes and objects from home about their family, culture and religion. We will tie all these stories to show students the parallels in mythologies of the world with their own personal journeys.
Creating A Community WimpleA traditional wimple is a Torah binder. We will expand on that definition as we create one large communal art piece that represents the community and becomes a “community binder”. In this session Tyvek, a non-woven polyethylene product, will serve as the “cloth” for the wimple, while scissors, paint and markers will help transform it into a new ritual object. We will revive, reinterpret and reinvent the wimple.
Making a Tallit from TyvekForget what you think you know about a tallit: the shape, material, color. We'll explore new and innovative ways of fulfilling the mitzvah of tzitzit. In this workshop we will work with Tyvek, a non- woven polyethylene product that has been used for years in the construction industry and is now being embraced by designers and artists as a new medium. The Tyvek will serve as the “cloth” for the tallit, while scissors, paint, fabric, glue and markers will help transform it into a new ritual garment. Biblical texts will illustrate the requirements and prohibitions of tallit and tzitzit and The Jewish Catalogue will be used for instructions on how to tie tzitzit.
Hip-hop & Hebrews. Workshop designed to foster engagement with Judaism through the works of popular culture, as well as traditional art. Participants delve into Jewish culture and develop an inside understanding of the artistic choices that contribute to the creation of a work of art. A Powerpoint presentation introduces contemporary and traditional amulet art images, leading into popular culture images of hip-hop art. We will discuss similarities and differences with Jewish culture; and the role of amulets in Judaism. Amulets were first mentioned in the Talmud 2,000 years ago; ancient & current Kabbalists abided by them. Participants make their own amulet, either on provided precut shapes, or shapes of their own design. This provides a dialogue with their own artistic and spiritual traditions. In addition they gain exposure to a variety of drawing and painting techniques.
The Making of Super Heros and HeroinesParticipants will be inspired by super heros from the comic books and also from comic inspired paintings. Participants will make a collage/painting that will depict how they plan to bring peace to the world and what symbols and stories will they use to depict that. How will their super hero look who will help them to achieve this. The concept of Tikkun ha Olam will be discussed with the students as well to show what we are doing to bring Tikkun and restoration in this world. Participants will also be encouraged to make masks of their newly fabricated super hero.
Painting the Jewish You; 
Self-Portrait Painting and Jewish Narrative
. Aimed at Arts Professionals and interested laymen alike, this workshop examines autobiographical painting in the context of Jewish motifs, memory and personal narrative. The theme of self-portraiture as auto-biography is examined. What makes a strong self-portrait in formal and psychological terms?
 Master painting is introduced such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh as well as Soutine and Maurycy Gottlieb. Participant’s photographs are examined to see how artists introduce visual and self- disclosing clues. The issue of Jewish identity is discussed and how it can be visually portrayed. Painting is presented as a kind of memory theatre, a process to reveal hidden half- forgotten truths, cultural and personal images. The Hebrew Bible is also introduced as a seminal text of Jewish experience and is employed here to express auto-biography through visual art. Particular ritual objects such as Sabbath candles, Tallisim, T’fillin, old family photos, cooking utensils, aprons etc. are to be examined for possible visual motifs. The goal is to employ the conventions of autobiography and Jewish identity to influence an artist’s oeuvre. Participants should personal objects and photos for the experiential part of the workshop.
Funny/Sad/Ironic/Ecstatic/Alienated; How to Draw Jewish Comics! A Workshop in Auto- Biography, Cartooning and Cultural Memory.
 Participants will explore personal stories and visual ideas. These may be experiences of Jewish culture, family members, places and neighborhoods no longer existent. Family and personal histories are to be written down in script form and documented in a visual way. As the graphic novel revolution continues, Jewish cartoonists of every stripe have made significant contributions. The workshop may be used to explore and illustrate humor, irony, loss, lack of connection to our Jewish past, or connection to our past and future. Examples of comics and comic techniques, such as those of Will Eisner, Gary Panter and Jack Kirby will be discussed so that participants may reflect on how to get their ideas down on paper.


Intro to Hebrew Calligraphy
Learn how to use a wedge-shaped pen to create the broad and narrow strokes of Hebrew letters in calligraphy. Pens, ink, practice sheets and lettering guide will be provided. The workshop includes a power-point presentation of Hebrew calligraphic art, a demonstration of technique, and time for students to practice, with individualized help. Students will learn to make graceful letters, and to scale them to the appropriate size for various projects.

Egg Tempera Painting
Learn to paint with fresh egg yolks and pure pigments in the manner of medieval and Renaissance artists. Egg tempera paint has a brilliant, jewel-like intensity, from delicate glazes to fully saturated, opaque colors. Egg tempera is the exquisite, detail-loving, vibrantly colorful medium that was used by artists as varied as Sandro Botticelli, Andrew Wyeth and Ben Shahn. Learning how to make paint from pure pigments and egg yolk will give you insight into the nature of all paints, and improve your painting technique as you learn to paint with egg tempera. Students will learn to prepare the egg yolk, mix colors, work with glazes and opaque paint to achieve varied effects. Work will be done on ragboard panels, and all materials will be provided. Suitable for middle-age students to adults.

Seeing with Blind Contour
Work shop participants will be asked to collect any kind of organic matter. Facilitator will explain the blind contour exercise through an artistic and spiritual lens. Participants will be given a soft lead pencil (without eraser), small pencil sharpeners, and paper and be asked to do the exercise. At then end of the session we will show work and discuss the experience. Blind contour is a meditative practice of art making about seeing, noticing, and reveling in every bump and groove of an object, not about the finished product. In Jewish tradition we are often thanking Hashem for every detail of creation, but we literally look right over the rich textures of the natural world. Humans are trained to perceive everything as a symbol of its self, we tell our brains what the leaf is supposed to look like on the whole instead of finding out what it really looks like centimeter by centimeter. If the participants understand the first level of the exercise the facilitator will work with them to find the contours inside the object, not just the edges.

Looking At Your Photographs: Workshop
Get personal feedback from a photographer with 40-years experience, solo museum exhibitions and the covers of major news weeklies. Limited to 15, each participant should bring in 10-12 prints, at least 8x10 inches, and will be guaranteed 10 minutes of personal critique. Selecting the images to bring to the workshop will jump start the process of learning about your personal vision. Comments and critique will focus on how you see and why some of your images work better than others. Whether a photo enthusiast or a professional photographer, participants will leave this workshop with a better understanding of their unique vision as well as what makes a photograph successful.

Shodu Workshop (Japanese Calligraphy)
Learn the basics of Japanese calligraphy, a simple yet profound art that is as much a meditation as it is an artistic skill. Basics of character forms will be explored with participants finishing by writing their name in phonetic Japanese characters.

Live Portraiture
Minimalist portraiture for private and corporate events. These unique give-aways leave your guests with something memorable and personal to take home.

Narrative Art Workshop  
This will be two 2-hour classes, utilizing drawing, painting and collage. Participants will gather photos of what is important to them, their family, their home, their city, etc. These will be analyzed from an artistic perspective to be used as a collage, drawing, or painting. Instructor will work with participants to create the arrangement which best describes the story the student wishes to tell. Please email jewishartsalon@gmail.com to see this artist's examples of various narrative works. The participants will be encouraged to experiment with various visual approaches given guidance by the artist.   


FILM SCREENING

Punk Jews. Followed with Q & A by the film's co-producer.
Profiling Hassidic punk rockers, Yiddish street performers, African-American Jewish activists and more, Punk Jews explores an emerging movement of provocateurs and committed Jews who are asking, each in his or her own way, what it means to be Jewish in the 21st century. Jewish artists, activists and musicians from diverse backgrounds and communities are defying norms and expressing their Jewish identities in unconventional ways. In the process, they are challenging stereotypes and breaking down barriers. Meet Yishai, lead singer of Moshiach Oi; Radical performance group, the Sukkos Mob; the renegade Orthodox participants of Cholent; the Amazing Amy Yoga Yenta; Kal Holczler, founder of Voices of Dignity; and African American Jewish hip hop sensation Y-Love.

ILLUSTRATED LECTURES


Cairo to Baghdad: Living and Photographing in the Middle-East (50 images)
A behind-the-scenes look at the Middle-East. As the photographer projects her work she will share stories about her adventures as a Jewish-American woman, the countries and peoples she got to know, and some of her extraordinary experiences in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Saudia Arabia, Kuwait, and the Sudan. You'll hear about raids with Egypt's drug enforcement agency, the women fighters of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front, Iraqi Kurdish refugees in Turkey, and the photographer's lunch with Yasser Arafat and his entourage in Kuwait. You'll see images of Islamic and Pharaonic Monuments in Egypt and learn about coming face to face with the infamous Abu Abbas who pushed Leon Klinghoffer, in his wheelchair, off the cruise ship Achille Lauro. Based in Cairo from 1986-1990 and working with an American photo agency, her clients included TIME, Newsweek, and LIFE Magazines, US News & World Report, New York Times, and the Sunday Times of London. 
Forgotten Heritage - Retracing Jewish Heritage in New York (and other American cities including Detroit), photographic journey documenting Jewish heritage in American cities with a strong focus on New York City
Diaspora. A presentation of the Artist's vast portfolio of Jewish communities from Cuba to Morocco.
Between Past and PresentA portrait of Jewish life in Europe between history and heritage preservation and renaissance of Jewish life.
The Jewish Identity ProjectA series of photographs exploring Jewish diversity
Hip Hop, Gangs, and the Marrano ConnectionPhotographs and illustrations related to graphic novel project
Jewish Virtual LifeLecture on the strange phenomenon of Jewish life in the virtual world of Second Life, put into a wider context of virtual Jewish communities online
After the ExodusLecture on Ethiopia's approach to its Jewish heritage, be it the claim that the Queen of Sheba had a child with King Solomon, and that the Ark of the Covenant is in Ethiopia, as well as the country's approach to the Beta Israel and their legacy
Hip-hop & HebrewsExplore Judaism through the works of popular culture and amulet art. Introducing contemporary and traditional amulet art images, leading into popular culture images of hip-hop art. We will discuss rap and hip-hop: its similarities and differences with Jewish culture; and the role of amulets in Judaism.

BIBLICAL and HOLIDAYS

Drawing on the Bible- Images of Biblical Women in Art
Based upon her book "Drawing on the Bible" this artist presents a visual dialog between the images of Biblical women as they have been portrayed over the centuries and the stories of individual figures from Eve to Esther. From Reviews of DOB: "At long last the veils have been lifted from the women of the Bible,and we can finally get a better look at who they really are. The artistic images so skillfully analyzed help to satisfy our longings to know Sarah, Miriam, Ruth and others better..her sensitive insightful commentary on both text and image is in itself a rich new midrash", Betsy Platkin Teutsch co-author of The Encyclopedia of Jewish Symbols. "Compelling and scholarly; yet accessible, it deserves an honored place on shelves of anyone with a serious interest in the portrayal of women in Biblical literature..it is truly learned, incisive and psychologically acute" Marc M Epstein, Dept of Religion at Vassar College.
Esther’s Day: Purim in Art (50 images)
 
Sarah’s Trials16 large paintings on the life of Sarah (2010) by Richard McBee
Hagar the Stranger16 large paintings on the life of Hagar (2012) by Richard McBee.

Dura Europos: Then and Now - Contemporary Appropriations of Biblical Themes. The Dura Europos synagogue in present day Syria featured the earliest known Jewish visual  art in the form of extensive figurative wall-paintings. This lecture discusses and shows images of "The Dura Europos Project: An ancient site revisited through 21st century eyes". Artists examined what the ancient Dura Europos artists did and they provide their own contemporary interpretations.

Fereshteh("Angels" in Urdu), the Artist explores the women of the bible and brings them forward to combat the wars and violence of today in a Midrash (interpretation) of lush paintings. The Artist, a Bene Israel Jew originally from India, now living in the US, is inspired by the style of Indian/Persian miniature paintings, Sephardic icons, the socio-political climate of today and in exploring the cultural boundary zones of her immigrant self. Explore the midrashic journey of a contemporary artist, as the women of the Torah are brought to life in her paintings in a new and avant-garde way.


We are Patriarchs 
We are Patriarchs evokes the legacy of Biblical characters and archetypes drawing them into the 21st Century with contemporary oil portraits that suggest classical European master painters by way of Anglo-Japanese Japonisme, and graffiti street art. These 15 works display the multi-cultural melting pot of global Jewry from award winning gourmet chefs to renowned world musicians, bloggers, converts, Rabbis, and tattooed heroines all equally featured. Each is a representation of a prominent figure from the Hebrew tradition, leaders in their time who continue to inspire. The Bible states that there were 10 generations from the creation of Adam to Noah’s flood, and 10 more from The Flood to Abraham and monotheism. The artist reinterprets this for a new era finding significance in the 10 generations from the Industrial Revolution to today. Modern technology has enabled the most informed, educated generation and yet we are lost in a sea of choices that ignore the wisdom of our predecessors.

OTHER LECTURES
Feminism and Contemporary Jewish Art(40 images)

A new creative spirit: How contemporary Jewish artists are forming partnerships with American museums, synagogues and institutions. Newly formed art groups such as the Jewish Art Salon, Art Kibbutz NY and Jewish Art Now have initiated an entrepreneurial approach to exposing the public to exciting new art.

Revolutionizing the Jewish Art Community. Emerging and established cutting-edge Jewish artists have banded together to form closer bonds and to create new opportunities.


The Borscht Belt: A Contemporary History In Images from Rise to Relic
Photographic survey of the former and cherished era known as the Borscht Belt while reflecting upon the processes and transformations of time. The photographer has been revisiting her hometown region over the past three years to document any remains of this former era she can find. We will view selections from the series which contains over 80 photographs, including a re-photographic series of "now" and "then" imagery composed by using found postcards and creating a mirror image of their present day depictions.

21 22 23 IDF. 
The photographer, service number 7253892, graduate of the paratroopers' brigade, regiment 890, will talk about the time he served at the elite combat unite in IDF, and how it’s affected his artistic ability. The photography is his best therapy; one learns to understand what the experiences of those kids at the age of 18.


Judaism, Art, and Healing
Presenter is a survivor of breast cancer for whom Jewish ritual, prayer, text study, and chants were the spiritual mainstay during her illness and treatment. After recovering, she collected stories from other Jewish people about how they used Jewish practice in a creative way to help them through their own or a loved ones' illness. The resulting book, Hard Blessings: Jewish Ways Through Illness, includes these stories and her artwork inspired by the stories. The lecture will include discussion of how she and the other contributors took Judaism personally at a time of illness and include a display of her art from the book.

The Impact of Jews on Modern Art
As artists, critics, art historians, collectors and gallerists, Jews have had an impact on Modern and post-Modern art far disproportionate to their numbers. This illustrated lecture surveys some of the cultural, social and historical factors that gave rise to this creative flowering. This lecture poses the question: who is a Jewish artist? Recent scholarship will be discussed regarding this ongoing debate. The transition of Jewish influence from virtual absence to pre-eminence in the world of fine art will be discussed in the context of 19th-20th century history. The stars of art, criticism and academia will be surveyed, with a consideration to how they interacted with each other and the art world at large.

My Jewish Journey Through Art - Ketubah
This illustrated lecture depicts the artist's love affair with the art of the ketubah since she started making them at age 17. She discusses how the ketubah expresses her creative and Jewish identity, while allowing her to impact and expand this art form. Her work combines personal expression with the transmission of the stories of her couples, who participate in the creative process. made over 500 hand-written, uniquely personalized, commissioned Ketubot (illuminated Hebrew marriage contracts). She shares her explorations of Hebrew calligraphy in fired-enamel on glass, gold-leaf, acrylic on canvas, hand-painted silk, etc. She discusses how Hebrew calligraphy and Torah study are interwoven in her creative expression as an artist. 

Blue Like Me: The Art of an Indian JewessGrowing up in a predominantly Hindu and Muslim society, educated in Catholic and Zoroastrian schools, raised Jewish in India and now living in the U.S., the Artist has always been driven to reflect upon the cultural boundary zones in which she have lived. With this background in a multi-cultural America, she is compelled to create art that speaks of shared similarities with her audience. The Artist’s intent for her viewers is to re-evaluate their notions and concepts about identity and race, hoping to peel back layers of misconceptions that may result in racism, hate and war. This lecture could be accompanied by a section on the artist’s childhood growing up Jewish in a multicultural India. Photos and information about the 2000 year old Indian Jewish community will be embellished with personal Jewish photos from the Artist's family album. Most of the Artist’s family now lives in three different continents; share her story and journey about this Diasporic Bene Israel Indian Jewish family
Hipsters & Hassids: Painting Bridges in New York
Hipsters & Hassids is a series of paintings that present the similarities these two Brooklyn communities share despite their obvious differences. The facilitator is an artist and a religious Jew, often finding herself caught between the two worlds.
The painting series consists of 25 works which have since been written about in the New York Times, New York Press, Tablet Magazine, the Jewish Week, among other publications and websites, including the Punk Jews documentary film. The series has inspired other projects, including the blog hasidorhipster.tumblr.com and other convergences of Hassidic Judaism and hipster culture.

The Golden Age of Jewish Art: Contemporary Jewish Art and Its Advocates (30 images)


Jewish Art Primer: Introduction to Jewish Art(145 images) 4 lectures
Faces: Weaving Indian Jewish Narratives
The Fullbright art project raises western awareness about the long-standing history of the Indian Jewish communities in India by documenting, using photography and painting, the individual faces and stories of this ancient group and their heritage before their existence becomes a cultural relic of India. The Artist visited the Bene Israel people living in and around Mumbai and Pune. Their stories have inspired her to create the iconography in her paintings. Fine art printers have printed the portraits of these people, isolating their faces on large pieces of paper. The Artist is painting the stories and iconography around their faces in the paintings referencing painting styles reminiscent of Indian/Persian miniature paintings, Sephardic icons, the socio-political climate of today.
 This is a powerpoint presentation about the Artist's journey through Jewish India in search of her roots and heritage. Audience will see and hear stories about the remaining 5000 Jews left in India. Most have immigrated to Israel but these Indian Jews have lived in the subcontinent for over 2000 years keeping their Jewish faith alive in a Hindu, Muslim cosmopolitan India for all these centuries.
Envisioning Women: The artist and the Art of MidrashThe practice of interpreting biblical text dates back nearly 2,000 years to the first rabbinic midrashim. Visual artists have unique gifts for interpreting texts and unique tools for creating midrash. Experience this tradition through the eyes of an artist, gaining new insights into familiar stories and characters as the Artist shares her vision in this presentation.

On Becoming a Jewish Artist
This artist has worked on over two dozen painting series. He began his series of Israel, current and Biblical, including Midrash themed works in 1993 and his series on American Jewish Life in 1995. These are ongoing and at present number over 500 paintings and drawings. Selected examples will be projected and discussed.


Learn the basics of Japanese calligraphy, a simple yet profound art that is as much a meditation as it is an artistic skill. Basics of character forms will be explored with participants finishing by writing their name in phonetic Japanese characters.

Minimalist portraiture for private and corporate events. These unique give-aways leave your guests with something memorable and personal to take home.





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