Israeli Chronicles — Connecting Israel & Cincinnati
Jewish Community Groups Partner for Unique Art Exhibition
Re-Art: The Many Faces of Israel celebrates Israel at 70
A Partnership2Gether (P2G) program of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati in partnership with the Skirball Museum
The community is invited to witness an extraordinary collaboration between five artists from Netanya, Israel and five artists from Cincinnati, Ohio at the opening of the exhibition Re-Art: The Many Faces of Israel on Thursday, November 16 from 5:30—7:30 p.m. at the Skirball Museum on the historic campus of Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion. Each of the ten artists created works of art that reflect personal understanding of and connection to the state of Israel. In turn, the ten artists have reinterpreted, re-envisioned, or augmented each other’s work, resulting in a unique collaborative exhibition of 70 powerful works.
The Cincinnati artists included in the exhibition are: Deborah Brod, Alan Brown, Cindy Loon, Sam Stamler, and Gary Kessler. The Netanya artists are: Smadar Barnea, Yehuda Yahav, Tami Suez, Philip Golan, and Rodrigo Uriartt.
“This exhibition is a perfect storm of community collaboration, the power of technology, and the creative energy of ten talented artists,” said Skirball Museum director Abby Schwartz. “These digital works of art have been passed electronically among the ten artists, who have thoughtfully manipulated each other’s creations. This project required enormous trust between the artists. I think we were all surprised and inspired by the new insights and perspectives that have emerged.”
“The Re-Art collaboration and exhibit are a perfect example of the beauty and creativity that arise from the partnership with Netanya,” said Mayerson JCC Interim Programming Director Holly Wolfson. “Together, so much is possible.”
“I could not have predicted the enthusiasm and passion that all of the artists brought to this process,” said Re-Art artist and P2G committee member Alan Brown. “We have all learned so much about each other as artists and people, all inspired by our connection to Israel.” The exhibition will travel to Netanya in 2018 and the Cincinnati artists plan to attend the opening there.
On Sunday, December 3 from 1—3 p.m. at the Skirball Museum, the Cincinnati Re-Art artists will be joined by their Netanya counterparts via Skype for a lively and enlightening conversation about the process and challenges of this unique exhibition.
The exhibition is a Partnership2Gether (P2G) program of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. P2G creates living bridges between the Cincinnati and Netanya communities by sharing ideas, strengths, challenges, and models of success, and by empowering both communities to generate waves of change. The exhibition is presented in partnership with the Cincinnati Skirball Museum and is a program of Israel at 70, presented by the Jewish Federation and the Mayerson JCC, marking the momentous 70th anniversary of Israeli independence, and looking toward the future with a season-long community celebration including special events, displays, and gatherings.
Israel at 70 is chaired by Fred and Kathy Kanter in partnership with the Mayerson JCC and the Jewish Federation. Israel at 70 is generously funded by Dr. and Mrs. Stephen N. Joffe (Presenting Sponsor), Fifth Third Bank and The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, (Prime Minister level sponsors), The Kanter Family (Founder level sponsor), Evelyn and Marc Fisher (Pioneer level sponsor), and Wilbur and Miriam Cohen, Susan Brenner and Steven Mombach, and Jen and John Stein (Friend level sponsors).
All programs are free of charge and open to the public, and take place in Mayerson Hall on the Clifton campus of HUC-JIR, 3101 Clifton Avenue. The Skirball Museum is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 am to 4 pm and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations for opening and panel discussion are recommended at Mayersonjcc.org or 513.487.3098. Closing day for the exhibition is Sunday, January 7.
