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THE RASHI EFFECT: ARTIST AS COMMENTATOR
Elizabeth Bloom, curator
Several JAI artists attended Beit Midrash (text study) meetings that were held once a month for a year. The theme was “Yetzer HaRa, Yetzer HaTov” or ‘Bad Inclination, Good Inclination,” a theme as basic as the Creation story of Adam and Eve and one frequently dealt with in Jewish texts. Each Beit Midrash session was led by a different rabbi whose interpretation, style and vision was unique. The sessions I attended were stimulating, challenging and inspired meaningful conversation.
The Rashi Effect, Artist as Commentator exhibition is the culmination of the Beit Midrash meetings. Each member artist was asked to create new, or rethink existing, work in the context of the “Yetzer HaRa, Yetzer HaTov” theme.
The JAI artists participating in the exhibition are Kate Alkarni, Melinda Smith Altshuler, Bill Aron, Madeleine Avirov, Elizabeth Bloom, Bruria Finkel, Shelley Gazin, Susan Gesundheit, Marcie, Kaufman, Nancy Goodman Lawrence, Eileen Levinson, Laurel Paley, Doni Silver Simons, Debra Sokolow, Ruth Weisberg.
Victor Raphael and I curated the exhibit together and invite you to attend the Opening Reception on Sunday, December 12, 1 – 3 p.m at the Platt/Borstein Galleries, American Jewish University.
We also invite those artists who attended the Beit Midrash sessions to let us know their thoughts and experience via this discussion forum.
