Documenta Kassel News

Annotations from curator & writer James Putnam

‘When I visited Stromboli myself at the beginning of the project Iddu, I
was moved not only by the amazing spectacle of this ever-erupting
volcano but by James P Graham�s passionate quest - that rare spark of
wonderment, which, when coupled with obsession, can transform into
inspiration. In September 2002 Graham ascended Stromboli for the second
time with his guide spending a night at the top just next to the
volcano�s craters. The sensation of natural phenomena created a
momentary experience of what he can only describe as an �illumination�.
Triggered by the powerful conjugation of elements on Stromboli, he was
made aware of his own relative position, size, and relationship with the
wider cosmos. Research into this metaphysical experience led him to
discover the notion of �scientia sacra� or sacred science. Its pure
meaning though difficult to grasp is eloquently described by the
contemporary Iranian philosopher Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr in his
book Knowledge and the Sacred �…sacred knowledge lies at the heart of
every revelation which is at the centre of that circle encompassing and
defining tradition…the source of this knowledge is intellectual
intuition which involves the illumination of the heart and the mind of
man.� Professor Nasr proposes that man is able to perceive the Source of
knowledge, which many would define as �God�. Historically, �scientia
sacra� or �sacred science� was widely understood by religious savants
such as St.Thomas Aquinas, and indeed, was the binding factor between
theology and science prior to the Renaissance. Stromboli is a �sacred�
place that inspires reflection on the very nature of being since it
displays the ultimate union and discord of the elements. It serves as a
quintessential metaphor for the contrast of violence and peace, bearing
witness to an equilibrium over which humanity has no control; an
equilibrium which is experienced by the spectator from the centre of
Graham�s final installation, providing positional awareness in the face
of nature and beyond. This is the foundation on which Graham has built
this remarkable project..’

James Putnam is curating the touring installation ‘Iddu’ for UK and
international exhibition.

Website: James P Graham website

jasmin gershony-geyer, born in tel-aviv,1962, lived in berlin and bonn, germany
returned to israel in 1982
member of raanana artists group \”day aleph
exhibited mixed media and sculptures in tel-aviv, jerusalem and raanana

Generation and Degeneration - Living for long periods in two completly different locations concerning mentality, culture and history, my identity is not defined definitiv. Israel and German culture and mentality has a strong influence on my work. I am not lookin for conclusions, nor do I wish to be narritative. I would like to produce a freeze of a state where duration of time or outcomings are unpredictable.

1989- graduation department of design, wizo haifa
2002-infected environment-group 9-gallery the center of performing arts tel-aviv
2003-red bull can art, tel-aviv
2005-jerUSAlem, gallery of the jerusalem theater
2006-seahorse sculptures exhibition-\”designing service\”, yad lebanim raanana
2006-bat yam theater festival ,mask sculptures
2006-sidewalks of tel-aviv, shenkin garden, tel aviv
raanana artists \”day aleph\” promoting center of victims of sexual abuse 2007 gallery
beit ha am, ynet, (group exhibition 1. May art & prosa) 2007
workers to the top of the agenda-cinemathek tel-aviv - beit ha am (art & prosa) 2007

Website: selection of works of J. Gershony Geyer and Blog
Contact email: coral10@bezeqint.net