January 4 - 10, 2012
AVENTURANEWS.COM
JEWISH MUSEUM OF FLORIDA EXHIBIT:
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Max Miller: Final Mourner’s Kaddish – 333 Days in Painting Opens January 31, 2012 Jewish tradition of memorializing a parent, Miller came to learn a great deal about his
BY JO ANN ARNOWITZ
After the death of his father, Murray A. Miller, artist Max Miller chose to undertake the custom of saying Kaddish,
Beth Jacob Miami Beach, FL watercolor, 2005
Cuban Hebrew Congregation Miami Beach, FL watercolor 2005
the Jewish prayer of mourning. This prayer, exalting the name of God, is recited in the presence of a congregation daily for eleven months. MMiller, who grew up Orthodox with Yiddish as his first language said, “The Kaddish provided me with time to grieve and reflect on spiritual aspects of life and death, and because of this I felt compelled to create images that captured my response to what I was experiencing.” MThe artist’s grief provided the inspiration for a vivid, moving and cathartic account of his experience of honoring his father through the daily recitation of the Kaddish. As an historic record and for personal reasons, Miller created a watercolor of each the synagogues he visited during the 333 days of saying Kaddish in New York, Vermont, Ohio and Florida (including Congregation Beth Jacob that is now JMOF). The 50 vibrant watercolors, considered by the artist to be a coherent unit, are painted on paper. As a whole, the
collection suggests the diversity of the social and religious settings that Miller frequented, as well as the breadth of personal transformation and learning he experienced over the course of those eleven months. Though the form varies, humanity’s expression of mourning transcends time, society, and culture. The extraordinary body of work that ensued is an intimate document of Miller’s faith, observance and the Jewish community. The ultimate unity of the Jewish people is found in these remarkable works. Each image is distinct in its orientation, composition and focus. Depictions range from exterior to interior, from human to architectural portraits, from limited to wide-ranging color schemes. The richness of his color and line inscribes the vitality of faith and continuance of ritual and tradition. The exhibition also includes a stunning portrait of Miller’s father, against a silver leaf background, an image of iconic and descriptive power that sets the tone for the show. Accompanying the images are the artist’s commentaries, based on his thoughts, feelings and experiences with those he met during this pursuit. While honoring the
Kehilath Jeshurun Upper East Side, New York City watercolor, 2005
father and their shared heritage. Though the daily ritual of saying Kaddish has formally ended for Miller, bringing this project to fruition provides an opportunity for those within the Jewish community, and for those in other communities, of all ages, to witness and honor the tradition of the Mourner’s Kaddish, and to reflect on their own humanity and spiritual journeys. The exhibit will be on display through May 13, 2012.
ABOUT THE ARTIST Max Miller is known for his abstract paintings that embrace color and line, as well as his figurative paintings of human and animal subjects. He has had exhibitions in New York City and throughout the East Coast. He received his BFA from Rhode Island School of Design and MFA from Yale University. He has been awarded numerous fellowships, including a New York Foundation for the Arts, Guggenheim, National Endowment for the Arts and two Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grants.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM The Jewish Museum of Florida is housed in two adjacent lovingly restored historic buildings on South Beach that were once synagogues for Miami Beach’s first Jewish congregation. The Museum’s focal point is its core exhibit MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida - 1763 to the Present. History and art exhibits change periodically. Current exhibits on display are: Wooden Synagogues of Poland and the Florida Connection through March 18, 2012 and Rabbi Irving Lehrman: His Life & Art through January 15, 2012. A Collections & Research Center, several films, Timeline Wall of Jewish history, Museum Store filled with unique items and Bessie’s Bistro complete the experience for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Museum is located at 301 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach 33139, and is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Mondays, Civil and Jewish holidays. Admission: Adults/$6; Seniors/$5; Families/$12; Members and children under 6/Always Free; Saturdays/Free. For information: 305-672-5044 or www.jewishmuseum.com.