Praying With Fabrics
For the last few years, I have been slowly working on a series of fiber art pieces inspired by Judaism’s weekday morning service. I have designed, re-designed, created, and tossed aside many pieces and am moving slowly forward with several distractions. Now, with an exhibition opening on July 21 at the Park Avenue Synagogue, I am inspired and motivated to create the piece I’m most excited about it the series – Psukei D’Zimra.
Psukei D’Zimra is the second section of the service. First, we recite a series of blessings thanking God for all of the gifts of life as we rediscover them each morning. After that, we move into Psukei D’Zimra, a series of psalms praising God. This section moves us from the physical world of waking to the spiritual world of prayer. The piece I have designed to show this transition is a three-dimensional spiral which transitions from heavy textured fabrics at the bottom to sheer fabrics at the top. A sketch of the piece is to the right.
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I am working on Anim Zemira also-trying to remain within the bounds of halacha while painting/printmaking with the visual symbols available to me. Having many frustrating moments-seeing someone else apply their art to tefillah is very emotionally rewarding. Thanks for sharing your work here.
Thank you for writing. I would love to see the work you’re doing with liturgy!