GENESIS: THE BEGINNING OF CREATIVITY An Artistic Initiative of Jewish Art Salon in partnership with CARAVAN
Artist from all traditions, faith backgrounds and philosophies are invited.
Visual Artists of all beliefs and philosophies are invited to respond to the Creation narratives in the Book of Genesis, chapters 1-4, the Gospel of John chapter 1 vs 1-3, and relevant suras of the Holy Quran, i.e. Sura’ Al-Baqarah, Sura’ As-Sajdah, Sura’ Yassin, Sura Al-A`raf, Sura Ta-Ha and Sura Al-Ma’ida and so on), as well as any additional and pertinent commentaries, ancient (i.e. Hadith, Midrash, etc.) or modern. Narratives include the first seven days of Creation, the Garden of Eden sequence, and Cain and Abel.
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 36” x 36”, but dependent upon venue
Date: Spring 2023
Three venues in NYC: Riverside Church, The Interchurch Center and the Jewish Theological Seminary.
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,
Artist, Founding Director, Jewish Art Salon, New York, NY.
Siona Benjamin,
Artist, US – Nehru Fulbright India scholar 2011, Fulbright Israel scholar 2017.
Paul-Gordon Chandler,
Founding President CARAVAN Arts, and Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming.
Tobi Kahn,
Artist-in-Residence, JTS
Chief Curators
Richard McBee, Joel Silverstein, Claire Marie Pearman
Curators
Goldie Gross, Abigail Meyer, Susan Maishlish, Tobi Kahn.
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 much 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,
Works must be based on the Book of Genesis Chapters 1-4, the Gospel of John chapter 1 vs 1-3, relevant suras of the Holy Quran (see above), 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 36” 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.
SUBMISSIONS
CARAVAN 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, CARAVAN and the venue will not be responsible for damage or theft.
Artwork Criteria
Our aim is to exhibit works to the widest possible audience and for as many people as possible to benefit from the interaction with the works and the associated dialogues and programs. To this end, we will be exhibiting works both at a physical venue and online.
The submission criteria are different for exhibiting at the venue versus for online. Please read through the criteria carefully to ensure that your submission will be accepted.
Eah artist may submit a maximum of two artworks for consideration (max 1 digital image per artwork).
ALL entries must be original in concept, design and execution, and may not violate US copyright laws. Non-compliance to this rule will be a disqualification of the entry.
For works to be considered for exhibition at a New York venue:
Medium: Painting, Drawing, Graphics, New Media, Photography, Sculpture
Size: Maximum 36” x 36”
For sculpture the size & weight restrictions are contingent on the venue.
Date: Works must have been produced in the last 2 years (2018 – 2020).
Works specifically created for this exhibition are preferred.
Images: Images should be submitted as high-resolution jpegs saved with the last
Name_ title. For example, smith_banishment.jpg.
Maximum 1 image per artwork.
Submissions that feature image PDFs, or jpegs without names, title will not be viewed.
Description:
A short description of the artwork is also required in the submission form. (max 150 words)
Biography:
A short biography is required in the submission form. (max 150 words)
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.
Artists are responsible for the roundtrip transport of their work to and from the New York City venue. The Jewish Art Salon, CARAVAN and the venue will not be responsible for damage or theft.
Online Exhibition
For works to be considered for exhibiting online:
Medium: Painting, Drawing, Graphics, New Media, Photography, Mixed media,
Collage, Mosaic, Sculpture. Videos
Size: No restrictions
Date: Works must have been produced in the last 2 years (2018 – 2020).
Works specifically created for this exhibition are preferred.
Images: Images should be submitted as high-resolution jpegs saved with the last
Name_ title. For example, smith_banishment.jpg.
Maximum 1 image per artwork.
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 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.
About Caravan
CARAVAN enables transformation to take place by creating artistic “encounter points” around the world that bring together those of divergent backgrounds and worldviews to stimulate discussion, dialogue and education, promoting further understanding, with a vision toward healing our world and creatively fostering peace, harmony, wholeness and health in all its forms. CARAVAN develops, organizes, curates and consults on artistic initiatives: group exhibitions, festivals, artist talks, lectures, online exhibitions, concerts, artist exchanges, symposiums, forums and screenings. CARAVAN’s artistic initiatives are held in a wide variety of venues, from traditional art settings, such as museums and galleries, to heavily trafficked “sacred spaces” and renowned public spaces, with the goal of taking their transformational message beyond the traditional “art circles” and maximizing viewership and participation from the widest possible demographic.
