KABBALAH 1984 -1985

The photographic series “Kabbalah” was made by Gretta Sarfaty between 1984 and 1985 during a long journey she took in New York when she was integrated to the vanguardist scene of visual arts, rock ‘n’ roll and the study group on Kabbalah. That time, Gretta was looking for a reconnection to her Jewish roots through different ways read and practice the tradition, its rituals and world vision. The series of fifteen photos (silver gelatin on canvas) is composed of her observation registers taking classes with Rabbi Simon Jacobson, author of the book “Toward A Meaningful Life”, and in celebrations at the Center Lubavitch Rabbi (Eastern Parkway).

Gretta was one of the first women to have access to Kabbalah classes, in this group that was just the beginning of Jacobson public career focused on Kabbalah studies. It is interesting to pay attention to the perspective Gretta brings to the images she made, the interactions among those boys and men, the presence of traditional gesture, clothes and parties. Some of the photos from Kabbalah were converted into painting for the series Kabbalah, as well as she made drawings and paintings right from the experience of in situ observation.

Although the Kabbalah series is an elaboration of cultural belonging to a tradition, Gretta still insert a questioning perspective to way her experience brings a feeling of distance and the impossibility of being part of a behavioral pattern. This bothering/bothered position is made evident in the way Gretta captured the different gazes of boys and men. Kids faces Gretta with her camera, the only woman in the context; on the opposite, adults interact among themselves wearing similar clothes, a stereotypical outfit of Jewish men, and their gazes are indifferent to Gretta’s presence, as they keep a kind of social choreography composed by their dark silhouette.

Text by Tálisson Melo

click here to see Kabbalah Photo series

click here to see documentary