Jerusalem Biennale2015
7,567 mi
tandem group exhibitions
September 24 - November 5, 2015
7,567mi→ Los Angeles to Jerusalem
Jerusalem Biennale2015
The Second Jerusalem Biennale For Contemporary Jewish Art
The Jewish Artists Initiative (JAI) is proud to have been selected as one of only two North American entries in the Jerusalem Biennale2015. JAI is represented by 39 artists in four venues, in Jerusalem and Los Angeles. 7,567mi explores the physical, spiritual, and cultural connections between Los Angeles and Jerusalem. Despite 7,567 miles of separation, we share commonalities: LA is home to the United States’ second largest Jewish population, and California is home to the second largest Israeli population in the US. Both are vibrant centers of Jewish life and creativity. This exhibition attempts to build a cultural bridge between the two.
The Jewish Artist’s Initiative’s exhibition takes place simultaneously at Hebrew Union College-JIR, Los Angeles, American Jewish University, USC Hillel and in Jerusalem, extending the Biennale over almost 8,000 miles and creating opportunities for creative dialogue between our two cities. JAI members responded to the question: What does it mean to be Jewish in LA in the 21st century? Their diverse responses reflect on the meaning of heritage, cultural pride, global community, the intersection of past/present, and the way that Israel is viewed from the opposite side of the globe.
Georgia Freedman-Harvey & Anne Hromadka, Curators
Read the Jerusalem Biennale Press Release
Read the Jerusalem venue Curatorial Statement
Read the Los Angeles venue full Curatorial Statement
Jerusalem Biennale2017
FLASHPOINTS: A Collective Response
October 1 - November 16, 2017
The Jewish Artists Initiative (JAI), of Southern California, responded to this watershed theme with a juried exhibition of nineteen artists who produced five, large-scale, team-created murals. Focused on forces shaping our troubled times: Human Rights, Civil Rights, Nationalism, Political Polarization, and Water. At a moment, when we feel more divided than ever, JAI chose to focus on a response that is all about collaboration.
The unique process of creating the murals was based on the Surrealist parlor game, the “Exquisite Corpse.” Each participant draws an image, folds the paper to conceal their efforts, and passes it on to the next player for their contribution.
JAI used this playful method to explore our differences, and also to offer a path toward unity. By bringing artists together to play, dialogue, critique, and explore a significant theme, we modeled how we found our collective voice.
In addition to the murals, also on view are documentary items including photographs, sketches, and renderings emerging from this collaborative process.
Just as the individual pieces are made up of a collection of images that are revealed as part of a larger whole, so too the murals come together as a unified exploration of our watershed times.
- Georgia Freedman-Harvey and Anne Hromadka Greenwald, Exhibition Curators
