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Moss continued from page 1... Saskia Swenson Moss: You talk about your work as being based in tradition but at the same time being innovative and fresh. Some might see an inherent tension here. How do you achieve that balance?
ground in the work you do? I know when you work in a school you talk with everyone from maintenance staff to students to faculty, how do you help
Moss: The truth is that I work in a variety of medium, and much of that excitement comes in that diversity. I move from books to manuscripts to print to objects to architecture to gardens. I’ve covered a lot of things and I delight in each as I do them.
David Moss: Good Question. I am doing a print based on those themes right now. Let me give you a metaphor: You know what Tzitzit look like? Swenson Moss: Tzitzit, the specially knotted ritual strings worn by observant Jews?
Reviving the hand-done ketubah (Jewish marriage contract signed before the wedding) was an important part of my work. Because it involved hundreds of relationships with people at a joyous moment at their lives, I was able to glimpse into and create something special for each couple.
Moss: Right, so the idea of Tzitzit is that there are two parts to each fringe. Tied to the garment is the tightly knotted part. Its knots and loops are rigidly defined and fixed. That represents the fixed past, tradition. This solid inherited tradition is the foundation of religion, art, science, most any discipline. You need that firm basis in knowledge and structure to build on. Once you have that, the rest of the Tzitzit are free and flowing. After you pass the knotted part, the strings dance freely. What’s interesting is that that free part, which stands for creativity, ends up being at least twice as long as the bound part. That metaphor works in art as well. You have to put in work, build on the tradition, but eventually that structure is what allows you to be creative – and if you don’t first have that foundation in discipline, you will tend to have chaos. Swenson Moss: We are thrilled you will be spending a whole week in New Haven! We are a small but diverse community. What are some ways that you bridge differences or find common
sioned in 1980 by Richard Levy. Is the Haggadah your favorite creation or are there others that you feel more connected to?
The world of wood-working and furniture challenged me to create a unified, sculptural work. And the world of architecure has been extremely gratifying. To walk into a Jewish space that you have helped imagine and create from scratch is a totally different but wonderful experience. achieve a common vision? Moss: This has always amazed me about art, perhaps as opposed to other modalities. I have found, almost universally, that art bridges gaps in a really magical way. People get immersed in and excited by the artistic process and by art itself. It somehow brings them to a place where the differences don’t matter as much as the common goals. Swenson Moss: Your most notable work is the Moss Haggadah, commis-
Each aspect of my career, while different, is wonderful. The Haggadah was but one of these varied and wonderful opportunities. Swenson Moss: OK last question, this one might be the most important: Which daughter-in-law do you like the best? Moss: (Laughs) I’m going to have to get back to you on that one! For dates, times, locations, and other details of David Moss’ programs as well as all other Israel at 65 events, visit jccnh.org > Israel-at-65.
65 Years, 65 Visions Artwork of children in the Greater New Haven area will be featured in a project celebrating Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. “65 Years, 65 Visions” is a collaborative project that will unite different elements and observations by gathering students from several day and religious schools – including the Jewish High School, Yeladim Learning Center, Rosh Chodesh group, and Shabbat Friends programs – and presenting them with the opportunity to share their artistic impressions. Each participating group will be assigned to research a year in Israel’s history and creatively translate that year onto a blank canvas. The project is open to imagination and any materials can be used. The artwork will be displayed in the JCC Auditorium at the Israel Independence Day celebration on April 15, 2013. Family, friends and the greater community is welcome to see the beautiful interpretations of 65 years of Israeli life, culture and history.