On Wednesday 31 July the SAJM and the Jacob Gitlin Library hosted a book launch for Marilyn Martin’s new book Between Dreams and Realities: A History of the National Gallery from 1871 – 2017.
Martin, who served as director of the National Gallery for a period of ten years, spoke about the book and the gallery in conversation with the brothers Paul and Jon Weinberg, both well-known curators who had worked with Martin over the years. Tailoring her talk to the audience, Martin spoke of the not inconsiderable impact and support of the Jewish community, not only in bequeathing much of the gallery’s collection, but also of the many Jewish South African artists whose works are held by the gallery.
Between Dreams and Realities: A History of the National Gallery from 1871 – 2017 offers a fascinating insight into South Africa’s art history, and is available for sale in the SAJM Gift Shop.
Photography workshop for Herzlia students
On 26 July Herzlia High School Grade 11s joined the SAJM at Cameraland for an inspiring and creative morning of photographic training with well-known local photographer Guy Lerner.
The event was organised so that students could enter the exciting Jewish Lens @Beit Hatfutsot international photo competition. The competition, run by the Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot in Israel, aims to engage Jewish teenagers around the world in an exploration of their identity, values and peoplehood. After completing the photo course, participants are invited to submit a photograph with an accompanying text that explains the theme of their connection to the Jewish people.
The morning was a great success, with Guy teaching students the basics of composition, lighting, angles and storytelling through this medium. Students were given plenty of opportunity for practice on Cameraland’s equipment, as well as using their own cellphones.
The final photographs will be exhibited at Cameraland and at the SAJM later this year. The three winning photographs from this exhibition will be entered into the Jewish Lens competition along with photographs from countries around the globe. Those winners will be displayed at Beit Hatfutsot’s premises and in their online gallery.
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