Exhibits › Humanity & Inhumanity › Smashing Idols

Here is a quick recap of the bible story from Google:

“In the story of Abraham and the idols, Abraham's father, Terah, was an idol maker and seller. One day, while Terah was away, Abraham smashed all the idols in the shop except for the largest one, placing a hammer in its hand. When Terah returned and questioned Abraham, Abraham cleverly explained that the idols had argued over who would receive an offering, and the largest one destroyed the others. Terah, realizing the absurdity of the idols' inability to defend themselves, was challenged by Abraham about the logic of worshipping them.”

The key point is that God cannot be represented in the form of a human being or animal. To do so is an abomination, often causing feelings of disgust and revulsion to Orthodox Jews or, more typically, it is an affront to common sense and modernity.

Innovative 20th and 21st century Jewish artists, scientists, writers and entrepreneurs are virtuoso idol smashers. They challenge, demolish and transform cherished traditional belief structures and institutions. Although this often leads to great human progress, it can also lead to widespread societal disruption and backlash by lovers of the status quo, which includes almost everybody.

Off the top of my head, this includes Albert Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer, Franz Kafka, Sigmund Freud, Jonas Salk, Steven Spielberg, Golda Meir, Betty Friedan and Mark Zuckerberg, etc.

Jewish creative mega success in the 20th and 21st centuries, with its willingness to confront social norms and accepted wisdom in academia, business, media and politics, is a factor in the rise of global antisemitism. It tends to stoke fear, hatred and envy in many Gentiles.

In terms of my ten mixed-media photo collages, I tore up photos of ancient idols from the Middle East and Europe and then re-arranged them in a visually coherent and aesthetic manner. It was an attempt to find order and, perhaps, meaning by demystifying graven images.

This creative act by a 21st century Jewish artist might resonate with those with a secular mindset, while it may annoy or antagonize those who do not share this outlook.

It raises a fundamental question:

Can the denizens of our small and increasingly crowded planet manage to coexist with both science and AI and the basic human desire to engage the divine?