In That Case: Havruta in Contemporary Art—Jenny Odell and Philip Buscemi

Dialogue has always been an integral part of learning in traditional Jewish contexts. Now, The Contemporary Jewish Museum repurposes the centuries-old practice of havruta—the study of religious texts by people in pairs—for the contemporary art community. San Francisco-based artist Jenny Odell collaborates with stylist and window designer Philip Buscemi for this next installation of the exhibition series, In That Case: Havruta in Contemporary Art. Odell and Buscemi are creating The Bureau of Suspended Objects, a series of window-like displays in the manner of a cabinet of curiosities that examines the creation of desire for consumer objects.

In That Case: Havruta in Contemporary Art brings individual Bay Area artists together with a scholar, scientist, writer, or other professional of his or her choice for a three-month fellowship in creativity. The resulting collaborations are presented in The Museum’s Sala Webb Education Center.

Jenny Odell’s work makes use of secondhand imagery and vernacular online sources in an attempt to highlight the material dimension of our modern networked existence. It has been shown widely including the Google Headquarters (Mountain View, CA), Arts Santa Monica, the Made in NY Media Center, and Apexart (NY). It has also been featured in TIME Magazine's LightBox, The Atlantic, The Economist, WIRED, and more. Odell teaches at Stanford University.

Philip Buscemi has been working as a stylist and window designer for many years in and around San Francisco’s Union Square. He has been working alongside celebrated interior designer Ken Fulk for the last twelve years as a stylist designing environments, installations, and events.

January 28–June 26, 2016

Opening reception: Thursday, January 28, 2016; 6–8pm (free with Museum admission)

$12 adults, $10 students and senior citizens with a valid ID, and $5 on Thursdays after 5pm. Youth 18 and under free.