"They Whispered Names to Me - I am a channel"

I waited until Chanukah to share this recent example of  my work titled, "They Whispered Names to Me - I am a channel."  This Menorah (or technically a Hannukiah) was fabricated during the first half of this year, 2021,  for an exhibition that will open in 2022.  It was finished shortly before the video crew from Craft In America came to my studio in June.

Then, as an amazing stroke of good fortune, the crew decided to record a video of me talking about this artwork -- even though it was not about JEWELRY.

A clip of the video is embedded into this post, but just in case it doesn't work, here is the link.

For this upcoming exhibition, each artist who was invited to participate was given a transcript and video interview of a woman rabbi. The overall premise was to recognize women in religious leadership, as part of an ongoing and sometimes controversial issue in Judaism and other religions all over the world. How can this still be true? 

It is unbelievable that women are still treated as second-class citizens in current cultures and religions to this day! This is why I decided to participate in the invitational.

The title for this piece consists of two quotes from my assigned woman rabbi, Rabbi Noa Kushner in San Francisco.  Listen to this short video from PBS  and see what you think.

I would love to respond to any questions that you may have -- so ask away. 

In future posts, I will be sharing images of the intermediate steps during the construction of this piece. This will document the sometimes tortuous and challenging journey it takes to fabricate an idea from inception to the final screw. 

Harriete

Images:      "They Whispered Names to Me - I am a channel"
Materials:  Recycled tin cans, brass, candle cups cast from a 19th century Menorah, brass screws, 10 k gold and sterling silver rivets.

The Shamash is fixed on the left side of the frame to prevent it from being lost or stolen.

Photo Credit for these images: Philip Cohen

Dimensions: 21.75” H x 23” W x 3.5” D

Craft In America - JEWELRY Episode - Streaming Now!

Craft in America JEWELRY episode is streaming. You can watch the entire episode .

Would you like to see a preview or trailer as well?            
                   Here is a preview of the JEWELRY episode:

 JEWELRY is streaming online now, or watch on PBS broadcast TV on Friday, December 10, 2021* 
*Check the time for your local television listing. 

The 56-minute video highlights a variety of artists and their perspectives about jewelry and materials.  Tom Herman uses precious materials, which is a phenomenal contrast to my use of recycled materials of tin cans and post-consumer plastic; Gabrielle Gould is inspired by nature, Jesse Monongya is a Navajo/Hopi jeweler, and Art Smith reflects an innovative mid-20^th century aesthetic. This program also includes commentary by the co-editors of Ornament Magazine.

The range and diversity of aesthetics and materials should provide thought-provoking scenarios for a great conversation.  I look forward to hearing what people have to say.

Be honest. 

Harriete

Previous Posts in the "Craft In America" in my studio series.

"Craft In America" Day 1 - Fabrication in Video Time vs Real Craft

A Gigantic Wish Come True...."Craft In America" Visits My Studio

Perspiration in Preparation & Planning for "Craft In America"

An Optivisor for a Crown - Two Vans Arrive with the "Craft In America" video team

"They Whispered Names to Me - I am a channel"

"They Whispered Names to Me - I am a channel"

Soft Lighting, Sharp Focus, Reflective Questions

The final day of the Craft In America video shoot was filled with surprises.

Throughout the entire time, I marveled at all the activity, the professionalism of the specialists, and the amazingly sophisticated equipment.  I often felt challenged mentally and in a hyper-alert state trying to absorb what they were doing. What would I need to do to perform, how would I meet their expectations, and anticipate what they would need me to do next?   There was no practice -- everything was "Take 1" and done.

Day two with the Craft In America video crew started early. 

While the Director of Photography was working on B roll* with me, the rest of the crew worked in my living room to rearrange furniture and set up lighting for the personal interview.

Below you can see how they created the soft lighting.

Behind a large scrim that they assembled in my living room was a very powerful light.  (You can see this light in the studio shots in previous posts.)

Note the cloth on the floor that they placed to capture better sound. 

The sound guy is on the left side of the photo (above.)

I actually had both a body mic and the boom microphone for the interview.
(The sound guy decided which microphone to use.)

The crew made all the decisions for where I sat or stood, and how my body should be positioned. I was interviewed by director Coby Atlas (that's her back at the center of this photo).  This formal interview lasted an hour and a half. Later in the afternoon, we talked about the work on display in my living room. I think it will be interesting to see how they use the interview in the final video edit. I've noticed on previous Craft in America segments that the interview content was integrated into the whole segment seamlessly. They rarely use only the interview, oftentimes mixing it up with studio shots as an auditory compliment to the visual artistry. Talking heads don't tend to hold the audience's interest for long.

So much work went into this production. The crew of six people was at my house for six hours on the first day, and seven hours on the second day.  That's seventy-eight hours of shooting, plus all the travel time, pre-production and post-production, for only 10-15 min of final footage! I know we think of crafting as a labor-intensive endeavor, but film is equally labor-intensive. It's not sweating over a hot forge or sawing at a piece of metal, but instead, it is a highly coordinated effort of camera, audio, lights, gaffers/grips, director, producers, editors, and talent.

Honestly, this experience was dazzling, especially considering that due to COVID, not one person had entered my living room during the previous 15 months. Now all the furniture was moved and there was a flurry of people, none of whom I was supposed to pay any attention to. Coby informed me that she was going to ask me questions, and I was supposed to focus only on her.   That was very difficult.  It was kind of like a "60 Minutes" interview but with only one camera, and no hairstylist or make-up.  I suspect that one must really "hit the big time" first to get hair and make-up support during a video shoot.  

There was no advance preparation for the questions. The entire two days were spontaneous, and my answers were purely extemporaneous. I never had a second chance. No Take 2's.  I have no idea how well I did!  There was no time to think or plan.  It was a whirlwind of experiences and I am so grateful to everyone who made it happen.  The interviews will be streaming soon!

Below is the one-minute preview. There will be more video segments to share soon.

Harriete

*Definition of B roll from Wikipedia: In film and television production, B-roll, B roll, B-reel or B reel is supplemental or alternative footage intercut with the main shot.  The term A-roll, referring to main footage, has fallen out of use.

Previous Posts in the "Craft In America" in my studio series.

"Craft In America" Day 1 - Fabrication in Video Time vs Real Craft

A Gigantic Wish Come True...."Craft In America" Visits My Studio

Perspiration in Preparation & Planning for "Craft In America"

An Optivisor for a Crown - Two Vans Arrive with the "Craft In America" video team