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| Admission: | Free with Museum admission. | ||
Contact: | info@thecjm.org or call 415.655.7881 |
The Museum has commissioned contemporary artists from diverse backgrounds to create a new work of art in response to the Torah. Come hear four renowned local artists describe their experiences creating visual commentaries on the Book of Genesis as part of a new form of dialogue with the Jewish Bible.
The artists participating in the conversation include John Bankston, Beth Grossman, Jordan Kantor and Paul Madonna. As part of the exhibition As It Is Written: Project 304,805, newly commissioned art will be presented in groups according to the Five Books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). Recalling the Western art historical tradition in which artists have elucidated religious concepts by creating visual representations of beliefs, narratives and practices, the work presented here reflects a lively and open-ended dialogue with the ancient text through a wide range of artistic approaches and cultural perspectives.

Seats of Power
Brisbane officials put their keisters on the line for art and civic participation.
Interactive art opening of “Seats of Power” at City Hall in Brisbane, California, 50 Park Place, Brisbane, CA 94005, March 18, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00p.m.
How far will Brisbane City officials go to support the arts? Artist and activist Beth Grossman has convinced the Brisbane Mayor, City Council, Police Commander, Fire Chief and Harbormaster, among others, to immortalize their derrieres as “Seats of Power,” all in the name of Art.
While capturing the impression of participants’ pants sitting on their chairs, Grossman came to appreciate Brisbane officials from a perspective different from that of the Council Chambers or City Hall offices. “We’ve had some good laughs and the puns keep flying,” says Grossman. Laughter has been a segue into more serious discussions about the nature of political power. The posterior photo images were later converted into textiles and upholstered onto chair seats.
For the opening reception on March 18, 2009, the public is invited into Brisbane City Hall to walk down a red carpet and sit in the “Hot Seat.” Here they can contemplate and expound upon how it feels to be in a seat of power. Public comments will be recorded in a video made by documentary filmmaker, David L. Brown.
Meet the artist at an interactive art opening of “Seats of Power” at City Hall in Brisbane, California, 50 Park Place, Brisbane, CA 94005, March 18, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00p.m.