Intersections – Selected Works from The Jerusalem Biennale at the JCC Manhattan

Intersections features the work of over 20 Israeli artists from the Jerusalem Biennale, whose works display the wide-ranging interpretations of what constitutes contemporary Jewish art.  Some works directly respond to religious practices, while others look at cultural trends within Israel.

Jewish Art Salon members in this exhibit are Andi Arnovitz, Ken Goldman and Yehudis Barmatz.

OPENING RECEPTION Tuesday November 15, 6-8 pm

JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave (76 St), New York, NY

RSVP: arts@jccmanhattan.org

Founded in 2013, The Jerusalem Biennale is dedicated to exploring the places of intersection between contemporary art and the Jewish world. Following the success of the first two Biennales which included over 250 artists from all over the world, The Laurie M. Tisch Gallery hosts the first New York exhibition highlighting the innovative work that is defining contemporary Jewish art.

On View September 1 – November 21, 9 am-8 pm

The Jerusalem Biennale was modeled after the century-old Venice Biennale, an international showcase of trends in contemporary art. But Ram Ozeri, founder of the Jerusalem Biennale, wanted to make this new venture specific to his home city. “I find it very hard for Jerusalem to compete with cities like New York, Berlin, London, or even Tel Aviv when it comes to contemporary art. But when we say ‘contemporary Jewish art,’ there is not city in the world that can compete with Jerusalem. Jerusalem finds its natural position as the center of this specific, yet expansive field.”

The first Jerusalem Biennale in 2013 was met with great enthusiasm, exhibiting works of 60 artists, 50 of whom were from Israel, in five venues across Jerusalem. In the second Biennale, in 2015, those numbers grew dramatically: Nearly 200 artists from 12 countries exhibited their work at seven venues around the city, including the Biennale’s main exhibition in the iconic Tower of David Museum. The third Jerusalem Biennale will open on October 1, 2017.

Pablo Lobato’s photographic series, Rest, captures the poetic moment of soldiers’ hands at ease while Debbie Kampel’s massive painting, Big Cityscape, captures Jerusalem’s iconic stone buildings replete with windows and doorways. Porat Salomon’s Dancing in the Sky reinterprets the classic, almost stereotypical image of a Chasidic Dance. These works convey aspects of current Jewish life and experience through the somehow sophisticated lance of contemporary artist.

More info here.