A delightful read for anyone interested in Jewish history, museum design, or the intersection of the two.
A professional designer describes his contribution to the research and development of a new museum.
Kaufman (The Precipice Option, 2013) was approached by Karl Katz, the director of the Jewish Museum in New York, to help create a new museum that celebrated the Jewish Diaspora’s global flourishing, a significant departure from previous artistic collections that focused on the history of the Jewish people’s suffering. Kaufman, a professional designer of museums and special exhibits, agreed, and what quickly ensued was an epic adventure. Almost immediately, it was decided that the new museum, which was to be situated in Tel Aviv, would thematically focus on expertly built replicas of synagogues around the world. Since there are no specific Jewish laws governing the construction of synagogues, each served as an expression of how a displaced Jewish community practiced its faith in diverse environs. Kaufman, who served as the general manager of the project, scoured the globe to study the synagogues selected by a panel of academic scholars. The challenges he encountered were considerable. Multiple unproductive committees often lost themselves in intramural conflict. The egos of participants and sponsors alike had to be constantly assuaged. One synagogue director in Dubrovnik objected to his building’s inclusion since he believed visitors would stop coming from Israel if they could see a reproduction of it in Tel Aviv. There were plenty of amusing episodes, too: at one point, while visiting a synagogue in Florence, Kaufman requested a helicopter; he had to settle for a fire truck. Along the way, the author furnishes a running commentary on Jewish history, especially as it unfolded in Europe. His recollection is both edifying and inspirational, treating the reader to scores of beautiful color pictures of the replicas Kaufman designed. Readers will also learn about his philosophy of museum design, which focuses on illuminating rather than competing with the exhibits it presents. Kaufman’s emotional ardor for art is often poignantly expressed. While contemplating the creation of a replica based on a synagogue in Florence, he reveals his combination of awe and anxiety: “I was jittery with the anticipation of imagining the kind of replica model this would make.”
A delightful read for anyone interested in Jewish history, museum design, or the intersection of the two.Pub Date: April 26, 2013
ISBN: 978-0578117638
Page Count: 328
Publisher: Intervale Publishing
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2017
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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