Fragments of Tradition
Is an interpretation of how traditions and rituals change when external elements, such as Covid-19, are imposed onto existing circumstances.
This is an interactive model, where light and shadow reveal and change as the game is manipulated. The shadows are created using different pieces.
Set against the Jewish Passover Seder traditions as well as the Ben Ezra Synagogue.
1. Pick a card and choose the sun’s position, move, position, and turn on lamp
2. Choose the time of year, add summer (long pieces)/winter (short pieces) hours to sundial
3. Shadows are created
4. Pick up card- begin to assemble and place 12 solid columns of Ben Ezra Synagogue
5. Shadows further develop
6. Pick of card- CHANCE CARD- Covid-19, chance cards begin to disrupt the status quo. Using the clear pieces add new columns to the game
7. Add as few or as many clear columns to the board
8. Remove or leave standing as many solid columns on the board
9.Shadows come out
10. Observe
The Set Up
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The Sundial: The sha’ot zmaniyout שעות ×–×ž× ×™×•×ª, where the hours of daylight are divided by 12, to create proportional hours that determine and predict times of prayer & the start and end of rituals.
These hours vary in length depending on the time of year, therefore their shadows vary, but there are always 12
12 solid columns of the Ben Ezra Synagogue: set on the periphery of the model. These represent the original steps and movements of traditions. They are ever present and strongly defined
The transparent columns: Are the updated rituals that are added or that replace existing set of traditions, because of external elements. These changes include a Seder ritual over zoom, the Haggadah book in 140 characters, 4 cups of mimosa, or Brunch Seder.
These pieces can be placed throughout the model. They can remove or replace any of the solid columns. As players follow along new shadows are created, some are removed creating an entirely new experience.
Shadows of Tradiition
The Tapestry of Continuity
An exploration of how it is through its gestures, that the tradition of welcoming the Jewish Sabbath on a Friday night, is continued from generation to generation, even when the original artefact, the candlesticks, are no longer around