RENO, Nevada (Press Release) – This year the State of Israel celebrates seventy years since its founding by the United Nations following World War II. To mark this occasion, the Nevada Museum of Art presents exhibitions by Israeli women artists Michal Rovner and Tal Shochat. These contemporary artists create work that are grounded in the history of photography, while delivering a fresh and independent viewpoint to the dialogue surrounding art and environment. Celebrating Israel’s 70th Anniversary: Michal Rovner and Tal Shochat will be on view April 12 through October 14, at the Nevada Museum of Art, Donald W. Reynolds Center for the Visual Arts, E. L. Wiegand Gallery in downtown Reno, Nevada. A suite of community events, including a Shabbat dinner at the Museum, will commence the exhibition.
In spring 2015, the Nevada Museum of Art partnered with Reno-based cultural leaders John and Catherine Farahi to organize a trip to Israel that combined historical and cultural site visits with museum tours and stops at artists’ studios. Two of the contemporary artists that the group encountered—established sculptor and video artist Michal Rovner, and mid-career photographer Tal Shochat—resonated with the group.
Michal Rovner creates evocative works touching on timeless themes of humanity and the human figure in the landscape. Rovner creates her videos by first filming actors who enact sequenced movements. Little by little through the editorial process, she removes all traces of individual identity so all that remains is a broad focus on humanity’s entirety.
Gardens and trees are a recurring theme in Tal Shochat’s work, alluding to the Garden of Eden as well as to Tu BiShvat or “New Year of the Trees,” a holiday on the Jewish calendar which is also celebrated among secular Israelis as a day of ecological awareness. Shochat focuses on the resilient fruit trees grown on land that farmers have cultivated in the same manner for 400 years.
These artists’ works are being presented together in a joint exhibition celebrating Israel’s 70th anniversary. Celebrating Israel’s 70th Anniversary: Michal Rovner and Tal Shochat presents photographs and multimedia artworks that illustrate contemporary life in Israel.
To honor these extraordinary artists, the Nevada Museum of Art will host an exclusive dinner in the tradition of Shabbat, or the Jewish day of rest, on Friday, April 13. Guests will light candles, sip ceremonial Kiddush wine, and break challah bread before the meal. Prepared by Mark Estee, this dinner features recipes by James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Solomonov. The evening includes a presentation by guest speaker James S. Snyder, Director Emeritus of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Additional special guests include artist Tal Shochat. For more information visit the event page on the Museum’s website. Guests must RSVP by April 6. Dinner tickets can be purchased through this link: http://bit.ly/CelebratingIsrael70
Celebrating Israel’s 70th Anniversary: Michal Rovner and Tal Shochat will be on view April 12 through October 14, 2018, at the Nevada Museum of Art, Donald W. Reynolds Center for the Visual Arts, E. L. Wiegand Gallery located at 160 West Liberty Street in Reno, Nevada.
A full list of the community events celebrating Israel’s 70th anniversary include:
DR. SHALOM M. PAUL ON THE “EVER-ALIVE DEAD SEA SCROLLS”
Thursday, April 12 | 7 PM
William Raggio Building Room 2030
University of Nevada, Reno
Professor (Emeritus) Shalom M. Paul was ordained as a rabbi in 1962. He has published over 70 articles in Biblical exegesis and Ancient Near Eastern literature as well as seven books. Paul will discuss the nature of the find in 11 caves of Qumran starting from 1947 and which Jewish sect wrote them and discuss the importance of the discovery for the development of the Hebrew Bible.
FREE and open to the public
SHABBAT DINNER AND TALK ON CREATIVITY IN ISRAEL BY JAMES S. SNYDER
Friday, April 13 / 6 PM
Nevada Museum of Art
Join the Museum for a special celebration of Israel’s 70th Anniversary with a Shabbat dinner. Guests will light candles, sip ceremonial Kiddush wine, and break challah bread before enjoying their meal. The evening includes a presentation by guest speaker James S. Snyder, Director Emeritus of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Additional special guests include artist Tal Shochat. Seating is limited, RSVP by April 6.
$150 per person
ISRAEL @70 CELEBRATION
Saturday, April 14 / 6:30 PM
Atlantis Grand Ballroom
Join the Atlantis as they commemorate Israel’s 70th anniversary with a special birthday party. Celebrate Simcha style with a live Israeli band, buffet, children’s activities and more.
$36 in advance | $42 at the door | $18 for students | $10 for children ages 7-13 | FREE for children under 6
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Preceding provided by the Nevada Museum of Art.