n Ritual
The Chanukah menorah is reinvented by two leading contemporary designers. Above: Karim Rashid
(American, b. Egypt 1960), Menorahmorph, 2004, silicone and stainless steel. Be/ow:Jonathan
Adler (American, b. 1966), Utopia Menorah, 2006, high-fired brown stoneware with white glaze.
In Jewish Museum exhibit,
contemporary art and design
reinvent Judaica.
BY ERIC HERSCHTHAL J THE JEWISH WEEK
It is tempting to view Jewish rituals — wrapping tefillin around an
arm, saying a blessing for wine and bread — as static traditions. In
many ways, that is exactly what they are meant to be, customs handed
down over centuries that symbolize a specific meaning and message.
So what then is their use to artists?
A lot, argues a provocative new show at the Jewish Museum in
New York City. "Reinventing Ritual: Contemporary Art and Design
for Jewish Life" is the brainchild of Daniel Belasco, the Henry L. Leir
Assistant Curator for ritual object art; the exhibition, running through
Feb. 7, makes the case that Jewish rituals are inherently creative acts
meant to infuse thought and meaning into mundane daily activities.
Artists Revel on page 20
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