FOLIOby EMILY MOODY
It started with one image. Three women who shared more than just their sisterhood were invited into a studio to be photographed. These women were positioned consecutively with the numbers tattooed on their forearms, numbers from their imprisonment in Auschwitz in 1944. The photographer Vardi Kahana, the daughter of one of the women, launched her series of photographs with this single picture.
The collection of photographs documents the growth of her family, after the devastation of the Holocaust, through images taken at their respective homes around the world. Vardi Kahana has captured the essence of her extended family within each of their own nuclear families, showing the new lives that came from such horrible beginnings of the sisters. It is the rebirth of this family. Vardi’s photographic journey, with no deadline, was to capture images of the entire family, in the generations that followed the Holocaust. Since that first iconic image was taken of the three sisters, she has been able to gather over 100 portraits of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren from Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States.
Vardi Kahana will be making a special trip from Tel Aviv to join the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in celebrating the opening. This show has toured around the world, and the incredible imagery will be exhibited at the Museum from January 25 through April 27, 2014. Do not miss this opportunity to see this collection of images in the beautiful setting of The Cummer.
Opening Events with Vardi Kahana:
Member Preview Day – Friday, January 24, 12 to 8 pm
Members get an exclusive look at the exhibition and a chance to speak with Vardi Kahana in person. Special events will be happening throughout the day, including docent-led tours at 2, 4 and 6 pm, live music from Rebecca Zapen, a 20% discount for members in The Cummer Store, and more. Plus, get your picture taken in our Cummer photo booth for a fun souvenir of the event! Free to Members.
Conversations and Cocktails – Monday, January 27, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Join The Cummer for a 45-minute discussion with Vardi Kahana about her work and life. Then enjoy a special meet and greet with Vardi Kahana, live music with Arvid Smith, and wine and cheese to follow the discussion. Members $25. Non-members $35. To purchase tickets, please call 899-6038 or visit cummer.org.
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