Public Art
The Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerin, Israel for the new Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital tower, it was still being built. On my first visit to the site, there was no location for the sculpture to be viewed. We talked about possible sites with the staff on my visit, and a outdoor garden was mentioned, but there was no definite location to consider at that time. I had recently completed a 5 foot bronze sculpture of the Hebrew word for “One”, and left pictures of this for consideration, and then I went back to California.
Jane Jacobson, a Hadassah member from northern California chapter was traveling to Israel and went to the Hospital in Israel and met with Ron Krumer, an executive member of the staff. He said that they loved the Hebrew letter for “One”, but what they had decided was, they really wanted the Hebrew name for Hadassah in a sculpture. I knew now what the subject matter of the sculpture would be. I knew it would be free standing. I knew I would incorporate the deeper spiritual meaning of the Hebrew letters into the artwork.
The location that the sculpture was to live in was unknown. As it turned out, after the sculpture was finished and delivered to the hospital, the architect for the project chose a location for its display. I greatly appreciate the support and cooperation of the Hospital staff and the Hadassah members who worked with me to helped make the creation of this work a reality as we worked out everything that needed to be done.
Sculpture SignThe Hebrew Name HadassahThe name begins with a Hay, a letter with two parts separated by a space. This creates a path. Dalet is the open door. One who knocks on doors, asking for help, and those who respond to those needs. Samech represents Divine support and protection which aids our missions. It ends with a Hay, and the two Hay letters at the start and end create a path holding the others letters between them. The pathway is now clear, the Hospital and Organization are honored with a Divine mission, to bring care to humanity, in the form of medicine, research and teaching.
The Hebrew Name for Hadassah Sculpture
Healthcare • Hospital Location
The Hadassah Hospital, The Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower
Ein Karem, Israel
Year 2012
Mikvah/Hope Sculpture with Masada Mural
Liturgical Setting
Los Gatos Jewish Community Center Mikvah
Los Gatos, California
2011
A Mikvah is a ritual bath used in the Jewish religion from ancient times. People come to partake in the ceremony and water immersion for different personal reasons. The space available for the artwork was a ledge approximately 2 feet wide at the back edge of the pool and the wall behind the pool.
The main goal of the Sculpture and Mural was to increase the spiritual atmosphere at the location. The Sculpture is made of two Hebrew words. One is the Hebrew word for Mikvah and the other word is Hope/Tikvah. The mural is a picture of an ancient Mikvah in Masada, Israel.
I worked with an interior designer named Barbara Jacobs. We visited the site and decided what the best location for the artwork would be, measured and explored options for the space. I also met with Rabbi Alexander and she gave me information about Mikvah’s and their history and spiritual connection to the Jewish Religion. We also decided to use the word Hope / Tikvah as part of the artwork. I want to thank all of the people who worked with me to help make this project a reality. It takes a community to do a Public Art Project.
The Mural, a metal print with a luminous surface quality is in the corner of this ancient Mikvah room. We see in the mural an image of the sculpture that sits at the edge of our modern Mikvah pool. Here in a symbolic way, we are connecting the past and the present, by showing our sculpture in the ancient Mikvah setting. The sculpture is the Hebrew word for Mikvah and Hope / Tikvah made of fabricated steel and powder painted.
Alef Letter Sculpture
Liturgical Setting
Congregation Shir Hadash
Los Gatos, Califonnia
2012
Congregation Shir Hadash had begun a remodel project and I began talking with the Aesthetics Committee about a possible sculpture. Initially we explored the idea of the Hebrew letter Alef in Bronze for an indoor location. I showed the group a small scale model in bronze of the sculpture.
As the building work was completed and the actual space available was reconsidered, it was decided to make it an outdoor sculpture. Since we did not have any secure locations to display bronze sculpture, we decided to change the material to fabricated steel.
I worked with all the members of the Aesthetics Committee, deciding on location and scale of the work, but had especially close interactions with the interior designer Barbara Jacobs and Carolyn Lettween the head of the committee. I want to thank all the people who helped me on this project. Public Art is about community and learning to work in harmony with each other.
Alef is the first letter in the Hebrew Alphabet and symbolizes the One energy, symbolic for the concept of God. It is a letter that is silent. In silence we find our strongest connection to our understanding of God.