The Question

By Michelle Kaman
KOACH Field Worker

Good art makes you think, right? We've all heard that. The best pieces, of all media, are remembered for the questions that we ask about them. Why is she smiling? What did they mean by "I am the Walrus"? What is he thinking about? Which road in the wood will I take? He cut off what? But what about the artist? What was the artist thinking and feeling? Why did they create this work? What was their inspiration? What, if anything, are they trying to tell us?

What do these questions have to do with the theme of Jewish art? Speaking from an artist's perspective, I can only share with you my own answers. As with art, a significant principle in Judaism is the question. We ask questions in order to better understand our beliefs and values. As Jews, we are taught to pick apart our traditions and to ask hard questions. Art, I am proposing, is a possible avenue to ask such questions, to explore our Jewish heritage, our traditions and history and to reflect on our Judaism. One of the most famous artists of the last century was Salvador Dali. In my family's computer room growing up, we had a poster of his piece titled "Aliyah, the rebirth of Israel". It shows a curly haired, well built youth rising up wrapped in an Israeli flag. What do you think he was trying to say in 1961 with that painting?

Another famous Jewish artist, Chagall, took a more ancient view of his Jewish roots. The famous Chagall windows in Jerusalem at the Hadassah Hospital are his representations of the twelve tribes of Israel. What inspired him to create these windows? Why the twelve tribes? What significance did they have for him?

What do these two pieces make you think of? What questions do you have about the images that you see? What are your feelings on the themes of these two artists? Art can be much more than something pretty to look at. The next time you see a piece of art, Jewish or otherwise, think about the possible origins of thought, of questions it brings to mind and of how this piece connects with your own sense of exploration and self discovery.

[Posted 10/17/09]