ATTENTION ALL ARTISTS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED TO GENESIS:
WE ARE REVIEWING ALL SUBMISSIONS AND ARE IN DISCUSSION WITH A NEW PARTNER and POTENTIAL VENUES.

WE WILL UPDATE ARTISTS ON THE STATUS OF THEIR APPLICATION AND VENUE LATE FEBRUARY 2021. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
– JAS CURATORIAL COMMITTEE

Genesis; The Beginning of Creativity

An invitation to artists of all beliefs and philosophies.

Visual Artists of all beliefs and philosophies are invited to respond to the Creation narratives in the Book of Genesis, Chapters 1-4, John 1-3, and relevant surahs of the Quran, as well as any additional and pertinent commentaries. This exhibition is intended for artists who wish to engage with these texts emotionally, intellectually and aesthetically, as well as creating an inclusive conversation promoting creativity and diversity of imagination.

All Mediums

Projected Maximum size 48” x 36”, but dependent upon venue

Venue: TBA

Submissions: Nov. 4 – Dec. 23, 2020

Advisors:

Steven Fine,
Churgin Professor of Jewish History; Director, Center for Israel Studies, Yeshiva University, NY.

Aaron Rosen,
Professor of Religion and Visual Culture, Director The Henry Luce III Center for Arts and Religion, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC.

Jeffrey P. García,
Assistant Professor of New Testament and Second Temple Literature, Nyack College, New York, NY.

Yona Verwer, Founding Director, Jewish Art Salon, New York, NY.

Chief Curators: Richard McBee, Joel Silverstein.

Curators: Goldie Gross, Abigail Meyer, Susan Maishlish.

About:

Genesis 1: 1- 3: 1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. ³ And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.”

As related in this text, God begins a chain of events that explains the creation of the universe and all things in it. The narrative is sacred to all three Abrahamic faiths and known as a foundational text in most of the world. It has generated a profound impact on defining who we are and the world in which we live. People have accepted and cherished these narratives with a wide degree of shared analysis and communication yet maintain different interpretations of them. The discussion continues in our own time as to how to interpret these stories, ranging from Divine Revelation, to the academic tradition of a secular cultural legacy. The narratives continue to take on new meaning in our own era, maintaining their status as a defining chronicle of both cosmic and individual creativity.

Works must be based on the Book of Genesis, Chapters 1-4, John 1-3, relevant surahs of the Quran, as well as any additional and  pertinent commentaries.

Possible themes:

1. God and Deity as related to the text

2. Creation of the Universe and Philosophies of Creation

3. Mysticism: Kabbalah and Sufism

4. Humankind: Adam and Eve

5. Women and Identity: Lilith and Eve

6. Stewardship of the World: Ecological Responsibility

7. Creation of Time

8. The Garden of Eden

9. Concepts of the Fall

10. The Snake: Good and Evil

11. Banishment: East of Eden

12. Cain and Abel: The First Murder

Any questions: contact curator Goldie Gross at goldie@jewishartsalon.org

Media: 

Painting, Drawing, Graphics, New Media, Photography. Maximum size 48” x 36”. Sculpture: Size & Weight Restrictions Contingent Upon Venue.

No works framed with glass; no unframed works on paper unless an alternate display method is part of the concept; no works made of breakable materials such as clay or plaster.

New York City Venue: To Be Announced.

Application deadline:

Jewish Art Salon members: Deadline has passed.

Non-members: December 20, 2020

SUBMISSIONS

Non-members APPLY HERE

IMAGES:

Submit your images as jpegs, saved with last name_title, such as smith_banishment.jpg . Maximum 2 images per artist.

The form will ask for a short description of the artwork as well.

Submissions that feature image PDFs, or jpegs without names, title will not be viewed.

Artists are responsible for the roundtrip transport of their work to and from the New York City venue. The Jewish Art Salon and the venue will not be responsible for damage or theft.

About the Jewish Art Salon

The Jewish Art Salon is the largest Jewish artist-based organization in existence. It is responsible for over 40 exhibitions, plus numerous professional and educational opportunities worldwide. We encourage a dialog  between the three monotheistic faiths and between observant and secular artists as well, ever committed to using Jewish texts, commentaries and culture in the quest for social dialog between diverse peoples and perspectives.