Genesis; The Beginning of Creativity
Curated by Richard McBee and Joel Silverstein for the Jewish Art Salon.
We are looking for artists who wish to respond to the Abrahamic Creation narratives and their commentaries in order to participate in this groundbreaking and bridge-building art exhibition, a perfect forum for positive expression and discussion.
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
About:
Genesis 1: 1- 3: 1 In the beginning God created[a] 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[b] 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 the Bible and the Quran, God enacts a chain of events that explains the creation of the universe and all things in it. The story is sacred to all three Abrahamic faiths and has profoundly shaped who we are and the world in which we live. The traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam have cherished these narratives and interpreted them is ways which may significantly parallel and overlap, and yet depart from one another in revealing ways. The discussion remains, both in and out of tradition, as to how to interpret this heritage, ranging from the experience of Divine Revelation, to the manifestation of a specific cultural and historical legacy. The stories continue to take on new aesthetic, philosophical and social resonances, yet maintain their status as foundational narratives that relate how we conceive and define creativity. We are inviting artists from all from all faiths, beliefs and philosophies that engage these texts in fresh and relevant ways.
Works are based on Genesis, Chapters 1-4, John 1-3, relevant surahs of the Quran, as well as any additional and pertinent commentaries, ancient or modern.
Narratives include the first seven days of Creation, the Garden of Eden sequence, and Cain and Abel. Artists and artworks from all perspectives and philosophies are welcome.
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 the curator Joel Silverstein at joelartcrit@aol.com
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: October 30, 2020
Non-members: November 20, 2020
SUBMISSIONS
IMAGES:
Submit your images as jpegs, saved with last name_title_measurements in inches, such as schwartz_banishment_36_24.jpg (height by width). 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, etc. will not be viewed.
Jewish Art Salon Members APPLY HERE
Non-members APPLY HERE
Please make sure you enter the correct category. We cannot accept incomplete or incorrectly entered submissions.
Artists are responsible for the roundtrip transport of their work to and from the New York City venue. The Jewish Art Salon, Jada Art 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.
