“Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World” is a collaborative art project conceived by artist Christy Honigman to bring together people from many cultures. It is a statement of faith that it is possible to heal the world.
The exhibit, contained in a series of tall columns, was originally developed for the Mizel Museum, which opens a window to contemporary Jewish life. The project brings together statements by 52 participants from 27 countries, who were contacted through a metro-area refugee aid organization. Many of them had survived very difficult ordeals before they reached freedom in America. What they express shows remarkable strength as they adapt to new ways and surroundings.
Expressions of social justice, equality, compassion for others and hope for peace are repeated in many languages in addition to English: Tajik, Chinese, Creole, Arabic, Russian, Mina (Togo), Albanian, Spanish, Serbo-Croatian, Amharic (Ethiopia), Bulgarian, Kairo (Liberia), Vietnamese, Temne (Sierra Leone), Romanian, Swiss-German, Bari (Sudan).
Statements, some with small drawings, range from “Even if your way is not as smooth as a tablecloth. Do go! You can come back more strong.” (Russia) to “He made the world to be for those who love peace. Do not change it. Let it be as it was made, keep the world a safe place.” (Sudan).
Take the time to look up translations in the accompanying booklet. There is mention of an audio component so one can hear these voices, but it wasn’t functioning when we tried. Hopefully, it will be repaired since it adds another dimension to the exhibit.
Tikkun Olam will be exhibited through the summer at the Englewood Public Library, 1000 Englewood Parkway. On loan from the Mizel Museum in Denver, the collaborative exhibit contains panels created by 52 participants from 27 countries exploring the meaning of “tikkun olam,” a Hebrew phrase that means “to heal the world.” Associated programs are planned this summer, date to be announced. For information about the Mizel and the exhibit, see www.mizelmuseum.org. Englewood Library can be reached at 303-762-2560, www.englewoodgov.org..