To dream or not to dream? that is the question

Yesterday the Women's League, braving the roadworks, urban reconstruction, demonstrations and usual urban congestion -- not to mention an inconveniently-timed missile warning -- ventured down to Rishon LeTzion for a most unusual outing.  Our member Dr Pessy Krausz takes up the story.

When our indefatigably caring Shirley March, Women’s League President, organised our Hanassi Shul tour of the Yaacov Agam Museum of Art, it was hardly to be expected that we were in for a revelation!

After viewing the nine pillars in the entrance, our group was led into a bright airy hall, decorated with Agam works, which contained many colourful carpeted rolling cubes. Upon these we were to sit so that we could propel ourselves across the floor to view a movie shown from four screens—each depicting a different aspect of how the Museum and its hugely tall pillars were erected. Some of us moved, while others simply craned their necks. Even though the many school children experiencing what we might call the rolling cube movement would have no problem returning to their pivotal centre, for our group, (metaphorically speaking) no longer in the first flush of youth, balance is all—along with positioning objects in the same place, so that we’re not forever searching for our keys, glasses or whatever, is a method, we are told, that is essential. 

Equally our sense of balance was challenged viewing the huge pillar which is emblazoned on one side with the Magen David – or as called in the catalogue the Star of David – stretching from here to infinity with the use of mirrors above and below. As we realised his underlying message, “From Here to Eternity”, we also appreciated how in Hebrew we’d say Am LaNezach – our Eternal People. 

Left: A moving triangle casts shadows that develop into a series of Magen Davids

Many of Agam’s works reveal his deep attachment to his Jewish roots. This is hardly surprising since his father, Yehoshua Gibstein, was a rabbi and a Kabbalist who not only Agam’s outlook and encouraged his son to pursue the study of art. agam was born Yaacov Gibstein on May 11, 1928 in Rishon le-Zion, Palestine. Our guide, Yarden, shared that, though reaching a blessed 97 years, he says he is still working on design—though only in his mind! One of our members, Barbara Apelbaum, an art connoisseur who sold his works in the gallery for which she worked, for met Agam and said what a very nice person he is. 

Agam’s prolific 4,382 artworks – called Kinetic art – can be viewed on artnet. Our group was fascinated to see the changing forms that depend on the point from where they are viewed. Our guide explained how Agam connects physics, Judaism and Kabbalah. Thus his work reveals his deep attachment to his Jewish roots. Furthermore, Agam finds the connection between plastic art and music – creating a symphony.  

Agam’s book Agamilim – Reading writing and thinking challenges was published in Israel, 1989. It is aimed at children, particularly preschoolers, to improve their visual thinking, visual memory, and spatial skills by providing tools for a more balanced visual and verbal education. But one might say it would be useful for all, even today. It explores the fundamental principles of his art: visual thinking, multi-dimensionality, and the connection between time and change. Rather than completing a work, the viewer actively participates in its creation by shifting their perception. This continuous interaction means that each work is never fully complete,but is instead an ongoing event for the viewer—who can then participate in creation. 

Perhaps some of us related to the messages his book conveyed during our wonderful experience at the museum. Maybe we appreciated his message that true reality lies beyond mere appearance. Perhaps by engaging with his dynamic art we may have experienced a sense of spiritual elevation, similar to a visual prayer. In any case, our forefather Yaacov’s dream of a ladder was intangible. Yaacov Agam, with his magnificent ladder, has turned such a dream into tangible reality. 

Back to more physical reality, Shirley reminded us that the bus was waiting to take us all to Ikea for lunch – and even a little shopping! We came back down to earth with relief and moved gently towards a welcome meal, some of us quickly paying for carefully selected Agam postcards, posters or linen bags. The magnet on my fridge, depicting Agam’s pillars, will be a reminder that this dreamlike event was, indeed, reality!