Exchange 2010/2011: 
A Series of Conversations and Interactions with noted Israeli Artists

MAYA ZACK • November 7-14, 2010    Schedule of Events

2000 Bezalel graduate Maya Zack already boasts an impressive filmography and catalog of worldwide film screenings, solo exhibitions, and awards. A frequent lecturer at Bezalel Academy and the Tel Aviv University Department of Film and Television, Zack is currently best known for her award-winning short film ‘Mother Economy’. This masterful twenty-minute work, selected from 500 submissions as the winner of the Celeste Art Prize during the 2008 Berlin Video Art Festival, is a contemporary exploration of issues of Jewish identity, cultural memory, and emotions.

In the fall of 2009, The Jewish Artists Initiative (JAI) of Southern California launched a major expansion of its programming generously funded by the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. The artist in residency program establishes cultural bridges and expands the discourse between Jewish artists from Los Angeles and Israel. These conversations include the exploration of Jewish identity as experienced by both American and Israeli artists.

Maya Zack's residency has concluded, and we are excited to share that her 8 day residency in Los Angeles was very successful. Over 250 people attended the various events held for Zack during her stay. By acting as a cultural ambassador, Zack provided participants with a positive, firsthand experience of Israeli ethos and established a greater awareness of the variety and range of contemporary Israeli art. 

Members of our community were provided many opportunities to interact with Zack on both a personal and professional level. Programming included many artist talks, informal gatherings, and a Shabbat dinner. There were four public and three private events that included screening Zack's film Mother Economy and a presentation of new works of art. In addition, Zack met with several JAI artist members and many key Los Angeles arts professionals (gallerists and curators). Each of these events was designed to expose the Los Angeles community to contemporary Israeli culture as expressed through video and fine arts. 

JAI and the Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity (CJCC) co-sponsored this exchange. Capitalizing on Zack's emerging artist status, together with the CJCC, we applied for a young adult micro-grant from the Jewish Federation's NextGen Program. We received the requested funds. JAI and the CJCC are grateful for the support of the Jewish Federation's NEI Program.  We believe much of the success of this residency is a direct result of the NextGen Micro Grant and the continued support of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles.