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EXHIBITION DATES October 20 - December 11th,
2005
Jesse
Reichek's source for the 334 works in this series,
done between 1980 and 1988, was:
KABBALAH
The Kabbalah is the preeminent form
of Jewish mysticism - specifically, the search for the Divine. One
of its primary texts is the Zohar (The Book of Splendor), written
some eight hundred years ago. Kabbalah evolved as commentary on and
interpretation of the Torah (the first five books of the Old
Testament) and the entire corpus of Jewish theosophy. It is claimed
the Divine first taught the text to the Angels before creation.
After that, it was given to Adam, Abraham, and, finally, to Moses.
This tradition of "giving" and "receiving" is at the core of
Kabbalah.
The mysteries of Kabbalah also
describe "The Tree of Life" - the "Ladder of Light," commenting on
all that is known, is unknown, and will remain unknown. This is not
a tradition of answers, but a commitment to exploration; not a
system, but a series of relationships.
Kabbalah asks one to explore such
profound questions as the origins and end of the uni verse, the
nature of time and space, the relationships between deep structure
and surface appearances, and the origins of evil. This exploration
in itself is a collaboration in creation.
In
these paintings, Reichek engages the Kabbalah's concerns of
integrating dimensions - vertical and horizontal - content and form
- color and scale. The seminal role of alphabet and numerology in
Kabbalah is engaged in an expansive visual syntax and morphology;
the ineffable name of the Divine, YHWH, is the central visual
component. Kabbalah is the key to exploring Reichek's philosophy of
painting and life. For Kabbalah, and for Reichek, a moral life
reflects the dual ethical obligation to heal oneself and repair the
world.
Barry Weisberg
Chicago,
Illinois, Sept, 2005
"You shall not create a graven
image."
Reichek radically reinterpreted the
second commandment, transforming the classical prohibition into an
intentional pursuit. In an active and purposeful avoidance of the
graven image, he elaborated structure, relationship and
interconnection ù the Divine. For Reichek, painting was spiritual
discipline, meditation, and prayer. In the two series of works
titled "One" and "Exegesis" presented here, Reichek engaged
"Kabbalah" ù perplexing and delightful, overwhelming and comforting.
"zikrono lv'racha"
Jesse was my rabbi. He taught by
example. He davened with a brush.
We inherit the record and the memory of his life as a challenge
-may we accept this challenge as a
blessing.
Rabbi James Brandt
Napa -
Oakland,
California, Sept. 2005
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The following photographs of the exhibition were taken by
Jonathan Reichek:
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JESSE
REICHEK RETROSPECTIVE --- PARTNERS IN CREATION
Works from
1947 to 2005
Creators Equity Foundation
2324 blake street • Berkeley, ca • 94704
PHONE: (510) 514-8188 • FAX: (510) 665-4893
email:
reichek@dslextreme.com
website address:
www.reichek.org
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