Susan Beiner

Joseph Wesner

"For me, doing this menorah was not only a way to examine
the menorah as an object, but also to look at the idea of ritual
in our lives which it obviously represents," says sculptor Joseph
Wesner, of Birmingham. "That's pretty much the general theme
of my approach to this." A circular form that is fabricated in
bronze, Menorah Eco, has the look of a group of hoops all mov-
ing in different directions. "The hoops are on different axes.
Out of the axes loom vertical elements that are capped with
candle holders. When you fit it with candles, it resembles a
wreath. It's unlike the conventional linear menorah," he says.
Wesner admits that he has always been interested in the idea
of visual symbols and their interpretation. "Creating this meno-
rah was more about interpretation than design or aesthetics.
"There are elements of design and aesthetics that are clearly rela-
tive to my own vocabulary as an artist, but in this case my
thinking was pointed toward interpretation." He sees this piece
as a free standing object. "In a practical sense it could be found
in the middle of a table. It's a centering element. It reminds
everybody it's there."
When it comes to the role of ritual in our lives, Wesner says,
"Ritual is important because it is consistent and speaks to all
those who participate in it. It helps strengthen our understand-
ing of the religious event, and nurtures the relationship of the
family unit. I attribute so much of ritual with the breaking of
bread, which is the gathering of family around a table." Going
back historically, he adds, "There wasn't always atable, but there
was some kind of elevated platform that people gathered around.
It's something larger than you. You identify with something larger
that is right among you."
Wesner received a Master of Fine Arts from Cranbrook
Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills and a Bachelor of Fine Arts
from Georgetown University, Washington D.C. His public col-
lections can be found at the Detroit Institute of Arts and the
Cranbrook Academy of Art Museum.
Wesner just completed a major project. It's a 15-foot court-
yard sculpture made of stainless steel and black granite for the
new world headquarters of Delphi
Automotive Systems in Troy,
Michigan.
Joseph Wesner crexed his
What inspires this artist most is
menorah wino- bronze
the idea of authenticity. "To know
hoops like these in his
what is really authentic about life,"
Birmingham studio.
he says. Growing up in a regular
'Creating this menorah
neighborhood in Philadelphia,
was more about
Wesner says that he got his start
interpretation than
like most kids. "I was in the sand-
des-ign or aesthetics.'
box creating an imaginary world.
There
were not a lot of precon-
Photo by Krista Husa
ceived absolutes about where I
needed to belong."

When you first look at this ornate porcelain meno-
Susan Beiner:i porcelain
rah, you probably won't see all the little things. "It's only
menorah includes deco-
after you look very close that you will start to recognize
rative porcelain candles,
all the elements," says Detroit ceramist, Susan Beiner.
"It's only after you look
"All of the parts are patterns. It's encrusted with a vari-
peg close that you will
start to recognize all the
ety of forms, including screws, hands, and shells."
elements,"
Beiner's decorative menorah, made of slip cast porce-
lain and based on a V shape, has a surface of dull silver.
Photo by Patrick Young
"It takes a lot to get that kind of silver surface. You paint
the silver on with a little brush. Then, it's multi-fired with
a dry glaze," she says. "I consider it an art object. I made
it so that you could use it as a functional object or as a
decorative object." Beiner's menorah can be used with traditional Chanukah can-
dles, or with the decorative clay candles that come with it.
Beiner's upbringing made this project a very natural one. "Because I'm Jewish,
this work is closer to home for me. I've had a menorah around my whole life. For
me, it's second nature. I just decided what configuration I wanted and put the
whole thing together. The nicest thing for me was just doing it," she says.
"This menorah is based on a traditional form. I've just done it in my own
style. It is based on a period of time in history and brought into contemporary
placement."
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of
the Arts, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and a Master of Fine Arts from the Uni-
versity of Michigan School of Art, Beiner says that her latest project is learning
about her Russian heritage. "I've been learning about the Russian people and
their concern for decorative articles. I'm concerned, too. That shows in my
work. I'd like to visit some day," she admits.
Beiner has always had a passion for the Baroque period. "I'm interested in
eighteenth century Rococo silverware. So, some of the work that I'm doing
comes from that," she says. "I take objects that are sort of in our daily routine
and appropriate them. I use them as ornamentation."
Beiner says that her mother's interest in fine china has also been influential in
her work. "We had a lot of it around the house. I didn't realize this until later in
life, until I started making this kind of work. It's really quite amazing," she says.
Beiner's work ranges anywhere from cups and saucers to tea sets. "It's _all
porcelain and slip cast. All have different surfaces. Some are more colorful than
others," she says. "I enjoy making objects so much. For someone to buy one,
it's really quite a pleasure. They are sort of taking a piece of me with them. It
allows me to keep working."

11/20
1998