A Collage of Customs
Iconic Jewish woodcuts revised for the 21st century
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Hebrew Union College Press,U.S.
Published:1st Jul '21
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
In A Collage of Customs, Mark Podwal's imaginative and inventive interpretations of woodcuts from a 16th-century Sefer Minhagim (Book of Customs) allow us to see these historic images in a new light. Podwal brings humour and whimsy to religious objects and practices, while at the same time delivering profound and nuanced commentary on Jewish customs and history, both through his art and through his insightful accompanying text. The book appears in concert with an exhibition of Podwal's renderings at the Cincinnati Skirball Museum.
Ingenious! - Cynthia Ozick
What a treasure and a treat the eminent artist and author Mark Podwal has given us. In his unique way, Podwal has combined visual beauty and clever humor to provide us with illuminating details about lesser-known Jewish customs alongside magnificent woodcut illustrations. I learned much from this fascinating book and thoroughly enjoyed the learning! A book for both bedside reading and living room display, A Collage of Customs is a wonderful gift for oneself and for others. - Marcia Falk
Ritual is the inescapable language of religion. Mark Podwal's 26 chapters of A Collage of Customs, equivalent to the numerical value of the four Hebrew letters of God's most sacred name, is an ingenious creation designed to bring us a bit closer to God through the ever-evolving rich language of Jewish ritual. Alighting on the popular model of medieval books of customs, Podwal crafted his own intricate narrative of word and woodcut that skillfully oscillates between past and present, law and levity, gravitas and celebration. Truly a unique gem. - Ismar Schorsch
ISBN: 9780878205097
Dimensions: 203mm x 203mm x 5mm
Weight: 198g
68 pages