Earlier in the year New America Media was invited to preview the new Contemporary Jewish Museum prior to installation of the Museum’s inaugural exhibitions. Accompanied by NAM editors we toured the new facility that will reuses the landmark Jessie Street PG&E Power Substation to explore contemporary perspectives on Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas. The museum is part of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency’s Yerba Buena Redevelopment Project.
Exterior photo of the Blue Steel Structure by Bruce Damonte.
The architect Daniel Libeskind’s conceptual design sketch of the exterior of the Blue Steel structure.
Photo of the construction by Terrence McCarthy.
Photo by David Pham.
The significance of the number eighteen is evident in the design for the ‘yud’ space. A vertical space, which comes to a peak at the west end of the building and contains the Museum store on the main level and the special events gallery on the second floor, the ‘yud’ space features 36 (double chai) skylights installed amid the blue steel tiles.
The architect Daniel Libeskind’s comceptual design sketch of the inside of the Blue Steel structure.
Photo by David Pham.
The Contemporary Jewish Museum embodies a number of symbolic references to Jewish and Kabbalistic concepts. Most notably, Mr. Libeskind was inspired by the Hebrew phrase “L’Chaim” (To Life). He based the extension’s conceptual organizing principles on the two symbolic Hebrew letters of “chai,” the “chet” and the “yud”.
IN THE BEGINNING: ARTISTS RESPOND TO GENESIS – The text of Genesis—the story of the origins of the universe and the creation of humanity—is rich in universal themes related to religion, language, physics, creation, the environment, and ancient literature.
Photo by David Pham.
On June 8, 2008, the Contemporary Jewish Museum will open the doors to its new 63,000 square-foot facility in the heart of downtown San Francisco’s Yerba Buena cultural district. The Museum is a lively cultural center welcoming visitors of all ages and from all communities with a broad range of offerings, including art, music, film, new media presentations, and education programs for all ages.
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