A SEAT AT THE TABLE: A FEAST OF JEWISH IDENTITY
Yavneh Day School’s 8th Grade Class Final Art Project
A Seat at the Table: A Feast of Jewish Identity was on exhibit earlier this week at Jewish Silicon Valley at Israel 76.
The installation will also be on exhibit during the Yavneh Art Walk on Monday, 6/3/24, 5:30-7:30pm.
A semester-long project, inspired by the artist Judy Chicago’s famous piece: The Dinner Party
Through a personal identity project students have a chance to explore their individual interests, concerns, values, goals, and more during the crucial transition from childhood to adolescence.
This year the project took on new meaning as our small Jewish school grappled with the horrific attacks in Israel on October 7th. Many students are Israeli and/or have direct connections to friends and family in Israel. Emotions were powerful and often powerfully expressed.
Students created their own unique and individual chairs and place settings for a dinner party. They began with a recycled chair but were tasked with making a new structure for it. This required removing and reconfiguring it. They altered it by sawing off wood sections, removing upholstery, adding wood, cardboard, tape, paper mache, fabric, wire, paint, and more. They also painted ceramic plates and goblets as well as crafted individually designed clay silverware.
As the whole installation came together and feelings were fully expressed, highlighting how it had affected their lives and their families, we saw the reflection in the outstanding artwork of our 8th grade students.
Senior Art Teacher, Judy Murphy
Associate Art Teacher, Julie Krigel
With additional help from a variety of volunteers
