Betzalel Arts Presents:
Open Hearts Exhibit
April 17 – 30, 2017
Calgary Jewish Community Centre
Open Hearts focuses on themes of “Pesach” (or Passover) by depicting situations where the opportunity to act with a softened heart exists. Seeing Moses in the basket on the Nile softened Pharaoh’s daughter’s heart and thus she saved Moshe’s life. Years later, the plagues preceding the exodus eventually softened Pharaoh’s heart so that he yielded and allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt and slavery.
The details of the Exodus story demonstrate many themes that humanity continues to struggle with: fear, control, injustice, freedom, security, and migration. An open heart allows one to receive as well as give when another is in need. The Exodus journey eventually led the Israelites to Sinai where they received the Torah and were formed as a peoplehood. Artists have represented different layers and interpretations of these lessons in artworks of diverse media in the group exhibit, Open Hearts.
Sponsor: CJCC