Mr. Soltes teaches in the Program for Jewish Civilization at Georgetown University, and is the former Director and Curator of the B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum. He has curated over eighty exhibitions, and is the author of several hundred articles, essays and books, including Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian and Muslim Art Draws from the Same Source and The Ashen Rainbow, Essays on the Arts and the Holocaust.
His most recent publication is Tradition and Transformation: Three Millennia of Jewish Art and Architecture. The black & white version available here. Color version available later this year. He is an Advisor to the Jewish Art Salon.
Our previous Biennale exhibit was expertly curated by Dvora Liss and David Sperber. Afterwards the exhibition travelled to the Ein Harod Museum; see here.
THEME
The Jerusalem Biennale 2017 theme is “Watershed.”
“The term can be and has been used in two different ways. In nature it can refer to a place where diverse streams of water meet in a larger river or lake, or conversely, a line of hill from which rivers drain. As a metaphor it can refer to an event of some magnitude that alters the flow of historical motion in some way. Jerusalem itself has both been a magnet for historical watersheds and, as city on multiple hills, surrounded by diverse wadis and other hills, the location for more than a few natural watersheds. Both types have been long-term and, like flash-floods, impressive but only momentary.Thus the art that we are seeking for exhibition at the 2017 biennale may reflect on the natural concept or it may offer a political or historical commentary—in the latter case, in general terms, and in particular with regard to Jewish historical experience and to the Middle East—or it may combine both natural and historical-political elements.Given the parameters of the Jerusalem Biennale—to reflect on ways and places and ideas where contemporary art and the Jewish world of content intersect—we are particularly interested in work that addresses that world, however subtly, indirectly or overtly, alone or in conjunction with other worlds of experience.”
As a practical matter—given the complications of conveying works from North America or Europe to Israel—think also in terms that offer easy transport without sacrificing impact (eg, a large painting, say, that can be shipped rolled up, and hung on the wall from grommets or with push pins).Those of you who live in Israel of course can ship or deliver any way you like.
2-D art
The limitations of the exhibition venue mean that we will be in a position for the most part to show flat, wall-hung work, lightweight, although small-scale three-dimensional pieces that are easily enough transported can also be considered.
Installation art
will be encouraged, as long as the works are lightweight, and can be shipped / taken apart into smaller pieces. These pieces need to be put together easily; you may consider traveling to Jerusalem beforehand to help with the installation of your work.
Performance art
We are interested in featuring a 5 minute performance piece.
SUBMISSIONS
If you do not yet have works with the Watershed theme, this is fine. You will have a chance to make new work.
7 responses to “Jerusalem Biennale Call for Art by the Jewish Art Salon”
I would submit my art for “Watershed”, am I on time? Can you send me the application?
thank you Norma Picciotto
Sorry Norma. The deadline was September 14.
PS, next time please email us instead. That way we can reply to you within a day. Thank you.
I’m interested in the theme o f” Watershed” and I have some ideas. Should I be a member ?
Sorry, we did not see your comment until now. The Watershed exhibition is indeed for members only. Next time, please email us; that way we can reply to you the same day.
Hi Jona,
Yes, I am interested in applying for the theme watershed for the Jerusalem Biennale with my ‘Holocaust-works’.
Is this possible as an individual full member? And how?
Best wishes,
Maarten van der Heijden
Yes Maarten, as a member you are eligible, and I have submitted your Ecco Homo prints for review.