MAGICAL THINKING – SUPERSTITIONS AND OTHER PERSISTENT NOTIONS
On View: May 24 – December 15, 2022
Dr. Bernard Heller Museum
One West Fourth Street, New York, NY 10012
Black cats, horseshoes, wishbones, and mirrors are among the symbols chosen for exploration by over 50 contemporary artists. Superstitions about childbirth, and protective amulets to ward off the “evil eye” and promote good fortune are popular motifs. Several artists explore characters from Jewish folklore like the Dybbuk and the Golem. Works include oils, watercolors, acrylics, collage, paper cuts and photographs.
Catalog here
Fifteen Jewish Art Salon members are participating:
Archie Rand, Tobi Kahn, Mark Podwal, Dorit Jordan Dotan, Ruth Weisberg, Ruth Schreiber, David Wander, Merle Temkin, Joel Silverstein, Fred Spinowitz, Diane Reich, Joyce Weinstein, Deborah Ugoretz, Debbie Guedalia, Rachel Braun.
Images from “The Sicilian Cards” series by Archie Rand.
“Before the Inquisition Sicily was 75% Jewish, being a trading island in the middle of the Mediterranean. The deck of cards used there could double as a fortune telling deck like Tarot cards but has only 40 cards. The number 40 is the mentioned significantly in Scripture and commentary. Referenced on these cards is Noah and the 40 plagues, which according to Midrash were the 10 plagues times the four ways in which God redeemed Israel.”
