MAKING OUR VALUES VISIBLE

Senior Scholar of Jewish Studies Robert Kirschner reflects on interactivity as the hallmark of culturally Jewish experiences at the Skirball.

A century ago, philosopher Martin Buber advanced the concept of I and Thou. Its premise is that human life is fundamentally interpersonal. Human beings are not isolated, free-floating objects, but subjects existing in relationship to one another. Our lives are defined by our interactions. No “I” is an island. As Buber put it, “Living is meeting.”

Interactivity is the signature strength of the Skirball experience. We strive to welcome our visitors warmly and engage them personally, intellectually, and emotionally. In our museum galleries, public programs, educational activities, and participatory workshops, we offer open-ended, multi-sensory, inquiry-driven learning that encourages our visitors to explore, forge connections, and build relationships. At the Skirball, we are hands-on and heartfelt. We strive to make each experience approachable, accessible, age-appropriate, and engaging to a diverse audience.

In these pages of Oasis we offer a glimpse of interactivity and creative expression at the Skirball in 2022—a vivid and joyous affirmation that living is meeting, and no “I” is an island.

In October, the Skirball hosted the Protest Banner Lending Library, a project conceived by artist and activist Aram Han Sifuentes, and brought to life by the many people who have joined the banner making workshops and whose work you see in these pictures. Once they’re made, the banners are left for anyone to come and borrow as they need. Like the welcome blankets, this work draws on the legacy of crafting traditions and immigrant labor that is commonly discounted in society. But rather than offer commentary on what it means to become an American, this project speaks to what it means to be an American and to exercise the freedom and power of expression and citizenship.

Every weekend all summer long, families come to the Skirball for a special performance series in the Zeigler Amphitheater outside Noah’s Ark. Here, children dance to the music of Las Colibrí, an all-female mariachi ensemble. Other summer performances included puppet shows and pan-African dance.

Families make amulets based on Gabrielino/Tongva stonework with artist and teacher Lazaro Arvizu. Throughout the month of October, families took part in archeological digs and engaged in hands-on learning about the history and Native traditions of California.

School tours to Noah’s Ark are an opportunity to engage the curiosity of young learners for storytelling and science. In the storm gallery visitors create wind, thunder, lightning, and rain before they help animal friends in distress board the ark.

Teaching Through Storytelling workshops introduced classroom teachers to Skirball’s values-based curricula and to arts-integration teaching techniques that engage students across subject areas while fostering social and emotional competencies, creative problemsolving, and collaboration.

In the South Arroyo outside Noah’s Ark, children answer the question, “How would you make the world better?” They write their answers on small wooden discs and leave them for the next garden visitor to find and consider. It was one of the many art projects done throughout the year based on Skirball exhibitions, Jewish traditions, and the importance of caring for the world.

To celebrate the addition of artist Tobi Kahn’s ZAHRYZ Tzedek Box to the museum’s collection of Judaic treasures, visitors leave notes inside sharing small acts of kindness. (Photo credit: Bill Massey)

The launch of the UCLA Center for Justice and release of Rebel Speak: A Justice Movement Mixtape were celebrated at the Skirball with the performance of Lyrics from Lockdown, followed by a conversation between author Bryonn Bain and legendary community organizer Dolores Huerta. The For Freedoms artist collective installed Another Justice: By Any Media Necessary in the entrance to Herscher Hall especially for the evening’s gathering, showcasing the art of women incarcerated at Victorville Federal Prison. Through music, visual art, and spoken word performance visitors participated in lively and thought-provoking interactions.

In August as part of the triumphant return of Korean pop-folk band ADG7 to the Skirball’s Sunset Concerts, the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles partnered with the Skirball to bring together an unforgettable mix of music, food, dance, ritual, art, and community. The visitors engaged in activities such as learning to write their names in the Korean alphabet and trying on hanbok, traditional Korean clothing.