What’s Happening?
The exhibitions at the Tower of David Museum titled “Spirit of Stone” and HaMiffal Cultural Center’s “Forsaken Zone” invite contemplation on whether Jerusalem hosts a distinctive school of art akin to internationally renowned art hubs like Paris, London, or New York.
Why It Matters
Jerusalem is often seen primarily through the lens of its historical and religious significance. These exhibitions highlight Jerusalem’s dynamic and evolving art scene, showcasing both traditional influences and modern, critical perspectives, and compellingly proving that Jerusalem is also a thriving center for artistic innovation.
A Historic Artistic Foundation
Eilat Lieber, the director and chief curator of the Tower of David Jerusalem, expressed hope that the exhibition shifts the perception of Jerusalem as merely a historical city, spotlighting its artistic significance instead. Tal Kobo, curator of part one of the exhibition, traces this artistic journey back to the founding of the Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts over a century ago, a dream realized by Professor Boris Schatz. He envisioned harmonizing Jewish tradition with modern artistic expression, a vision that birthed an institution central to Jerusalem’s artistic heritage.
Early Artistic Contributions
The exhibit showcases a collection of early works, encompassing Bezalel’s emphasis on craftwork, such as carpets, candelabra, and calligraphies that articulate Jewish symbols. These works provide historical insight, reflecting both the socio-cultural shocks and the artistic adaptations European artists experienced in the Ottoman and British-mandated Jerusalem.
Modern and Contemporary Art
From those fundamentals, Jerusalem’s art transitions into contemporary realms, vividly depicted at the HaMiffal Cultural Center. This groundbreaking participatory cultural space brings together artists from diverse backgrounds—rich and poor, religious and secular—to explore new forms and protest-laden expressions untethered from commercial galleries. As Elad Yaron posits, Jerusalem’s marginal yet unconstrained environment nurtures such wild artistic freedom, typified by Guy David Briller’s “holy ark of the covenant” and other evocative pieces.
An Evolving Identity
Both parts of the exhibition serve to interrogate the evolving artistic identity of Jerusalem, showcasing creatives’ perspectives from early Zionist ideals to modern critical expressions, all underscoring the same persistent query: what does it mean to live and be born in Jerusalem? These questions echo beyond the artifacts, connecting the dots of a city marked by deep-rooted tradition and avant-garde artistic revolutions.
The Way Forward
In understanding Jerusalem through its artistic endeavors, one realizes that the city is not just surviving but thriving. It holds its profound past dear while embracing and challenging modern narratives. This fluid artistic identity is precisely why Jerusalem commands attention on the global stage, illustrating a versatile, enduring, and innovative artistic hothouse.
This story was first published on jpost.com.