54 | FEBRUARY 2 • 2023 

E

ighteen abstract artists are express-
ing associations with the often-mys-
tical number 18 as they participate 
in an exhibit running through March 1 
at the Janice Charach Gallery in the West 
Bloomfield Jewish Community Center.
The one-word title,“18,
” opens up to a 
variety of thoughts as artists present more 
than one work to express the vast number 
of reactions linked to the number signifi-
cant in the Jewish religion and beyond.
The approximately 75 works on display 
have been formed by paintings, mixed 
media and sculpture. 
“This exhibit reflects on the number 18 
and its implications,
” said Rebecca Reeder, 
gallery assistant director and show curator. 
“In the Jewish numerological tradition of 
gematria, the number 18 has long been 
viewed as corresponding to the Hebrew 
word chai, meaning life.
“The number also can represent bal-
ance, good fortune and luck. It has special 
importance in Jewish Kabbalah, with mys-
tical interpretations of Judaism.
”
Reeder, who reports that she did con-
siderable research in the past year to 
prepare for this exhibit, said she learned 

the number 18 has special significance in 
numerology. 
She explained it is noted that many peo-
ple in China consider 18 very auspicious as 
a number. In the tarot deck, she said, the 
number often is associated with the moon 
as a symbol of mystery and intuition.
Of the 18 artists in the exhibit, Olivia 
Guterson has formed three works to fit 
in with the theme. Guterson, a master’s 
degree student at Cranbrook Academy 
of Art who has shown earlier work at 
the Charach Gallery, has used paint and 
some mixed media to communicate her 
approach to the number. 
“Rebecca and Natalie Balazovich, gallery 
director, reached out to me last year as they 
were talking about this idea of developing 
a show around 18, and I thought that was 
fantastic,
” Guterson said. “There’s a deep 
Jewish passion to that number and being 
invited to participate was such an honor. 
“I met them when they were doing a 
three-part show around environment last 
year. I was looking at what is happening 
and solutions. It was an impactful conver-
sation about our roles in the way the world 
is changing.
” 

ARTS&LIFE
ART

“18” Exhibit at the Janice Charach Gallery 
runs through March 1.

The Mystical 
Number 

18
18 

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Details

The exhibit “18” will be on view 
through March 1 at the Janice 
Charach Gallery in the West 
Bloomfield Jewish Community 
Center. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday-
Thursday or by appointment. 
(248) 432-5579. charachgallery.org.

Olivia 
Guterson

Works by Olivia Guterson
Nowhere to Go But Back to Myself 
 
 
(left) and Untitled

