Two Paintings

Over the last month and a half I’ve become the proud owner of two Igal Fedida abstract paintings. But as I’ve said before, on these pages, about the artist:

He is a modern painter with a message that extends beyond time. His colors are bold, Hebrew letters appear almost invariably, his brush strokes reveal a lot more about the subject matter than do the works of far more photo realistic artists. In short, though he paints Jewish art, his paintings speak to Jew and non-Jew alike, his works stir up emotions far beyond what the eyes can perceive. While looking at his works, you see the colors dance, you see the colors explode; no definable shape is discernible, yet everything that exists or ever existed is in them.”

The first one I acquired, is 12″x 12″ painted on paper…

…”Between heavens and earth” represents – to me – the light breaking through the chaos as Creation starts to take shape and life though not fully defined, is just emerging. On the lower right corner the Hebrew letter “Bet,” the first letter of the book of Genesis is fully and beautifully shaped, it shows that though the elements were not yet recognizable, even through the Chaos everything was there and followed a very definite Divine plan.

The second work, which I got a few weeks later is a 40″ x 40″ mixed media on canvas…

…”Explosion of Bereshit” happens shortly after the first depiction of Creation above. The Hebrew calligraphy quotes the first four verses of Genesis:

“(1:1) In the beginning of God‘s creating the heavens and the earth — (1:2) when the earth was astonishingly empty, with darkness upon the surface of the deep, and the Divine Presence hovered upon the surface of the waters — (1:3) God said, “Let there be light, and there was light. (1:4) God saw that the light was good and God separated between the light and the darkness.
(The Stone Edition Artscroll Tanach translation)

That early supernal light, as it acquires strength, become a beautiful combination of colors, a pleasing canvas on which the Almighty’s creations will find a home. But… what about the viewer who heretofore denied the involvement, denied the very existence of a Divine Entity? To him/her the painting pointedly poses the question: can such an event as Creation be the result of random cataclysmic happenings that just resulted in life as we know it? 

Fedida‘s paintings may not solve philosophical dilemmas of faith, but they certainly present a clarification and a realistic interpretation – based on his kabalistic studies – of how Creation might have happened… Because, gentle reader, while looking at his works, you see the colors dance, you see the colors explode. While no definable shape is easily discernible, if you look carefully at the small details – the sudden turn of the painter’s brush, the shapes hinted – you soon realize that everything that exists or ever existed is represented here.

CS

A Night of Art, Wine, and More – Part 2

Last evening, May 7th, Igal Fedida‘s gallery (1482 First Avenue, New York, NY – Tel: 310.466.3916) was filled with people, delicious cheeses, fruits, and good wine. People were coming in throughout the evening, enjoying the art, talking or listening to Igal explain what his art expression is about, and tasting the food and wine.

Details from three of the paintings in the gallery.

Among those visiting the gallery were people of every age group, in many cases you would never have expected these individuals to have much in common with each other, yet all were attracted by Igal’s art. At moments there were as many as 60 people filling the narrow gallery.

Eli Shemesh, from Anderson Foods International…

Eli Shemesh, surrounded by art and cheese

…presented two of Anderson’s lines of cheeses – the brand new Sincerely, Brigitte. and Natural & Kosher. Three of the six Sincerely, Brigitte flavors were represented (Garlic Basil, Tomato Olive, Parsley Chive); while I loved all three, but, my favorite was the Parsley Chive because of the subtle flavors herb flavors. The majority of the people, however, seemed to prefer the Tomato Olive. All three flavors disappeared as the gallery visitors gobbled them up, together with Natural & Kosher‘s selection of three goat cheeses; my favorite, among the latter, was (you guessed it!!) Fine Herbs.

The wine selections consisted of Ben Ami Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Alfasi Cabernet Sauvignon; the eight bottles did not last very long, a fitting testimony to their delightful flavors.

Partial views of the gallery, before the start of the evening and at one point when Igal Fedida spoke about his creations.

It was a wonderful evening of art, wine, cheese and superb conversation.

CS

RELATED POSTS

A Talk With Igal Fedida

A Night of Wine and Art

A Night of Wine and Art – Part 2

A Night of Art, Wine and More

A Night of Art, Wine, and More

This coming Tuesday, May 7th, Igal Fedida Fine Art (1482 1st Avenue, New York, NY) will host an evening of presentation and conversation. Igal Fedida will talk about his art and his vision. Kosher wine, kosher cheese, fruits and more will be served. Igal’s art, fuses his Torah and mysticism knowledge and combines them into a painting, which (while abstract) is easily understood as a vision of the various facets of creation. As I wrote in these pages before:

He is a modern painter with a message that extends beyond time. His colors are bold, Hebrew letters appear almost invariably, his brush strokes reveal a lot more about the subject matter than do the works of far more photo realistic artists. In short, though he paints Jewish art, his paintings speak to Jew and non-Jew alike, his works stir up emotions beyond what the eyes can perceive. While looking at his creations, you see the colors dance, you see the colors explode; no definable shape is discernible, yet everything that exists or ever existed is in them.

He recently moved his gallery to New York’s Upper East Side, after many successful years in Miami, Florida. Below is a video of the artist creating, one of many on his youtube channel.

Hope to see there!

CS

RELATED POSTS

A Talk With Igal Fedida

A Night of Wine and Art

A Night of Wine and Art – Part 2

A Night of Wine and Art – Part 2

Last Wednesday – January 23rd, 2013 – we had a superb evening of wine and art at the Igal Fedida Gallery, (1482 First Avenue, between 77 and 78 in Manhattan). Recanati Winery presented 8 of their top wines.

All photos copyright of © Irving Schild

Brent Delman – TheCheeseGuy.com

Brent’s selection of imported European and domestic cheeses, never disappoints. He has singlehandedly raised the standards of the kosher cheese industry to the delight of both the Jewish and non Jewish markets.

Looking at the paintings…

Estie Wartenberg and winemaker Gil Shatsberg, serving Recanati wines

Among my favorite wines of the evening was the Reserve Syrah/ Viognier 2010. Full bodied and with gripping tannins, it showed plum, berries and currant fruits with subtle notes of roasted meat and earthy minerals. My co-blogger, SYR, had special praise for their Special Reserve White 2010, a blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. Exhibiting only the barest of wood it showed abundant peach, nectarine and apricot all coming together for a long finish.

We both agreed, however, that the Special Reserve Red 2007 was in a class by itself! Dark garnet in color, full-bodied but with a remarkable sense of lightness on the palate. On the nose, it opened with berry-cherry before introducing flavors of currants, red cherries and wild berries, on a background of sweet cedar and dark chocolate. Long and generous.

Some of World of Chantilly’s pastries..

World of Chantilly, has long been known for its pastries and cakes, their reputation for quality and flavor proved well deserved by the speed with which these pastries were devoured by the crowd.

From right to left, Udi Kadim – CEO of Yarden Winery USA, and yours truly

Aron Ritter, from the Kosher Wine Society, introducing the speakers

All videos copyright of © The Kosher Scene

The Kosher Scene‘s first ever event, was sponsored by the Igal Fedida Gallery, TheCheeseGuy.com, Recanati Winery, World of Chantilly with Aron Ritter‘s Kosher Wine Society invaluable help in promoting the event. With over 60 people attending, this was a memorable evening and the first of many more to come.

CS

RELATED POSTS

A Talk with Igal Fedida

A Night of Wine and Art

A Talk with Igal Fedida

This coming Wednesday at 10:00pm (Eastern Time), we will be talking to Igal Fedida. He is a modern painter with a message that extends beyond time. His colors are bold, Hebrew letters appear almost invariably, his brush strokes reveal a lot more about the subject matter than do the works of far more photo realistic artists. In short, though he paints Jewish art, his paintings speak to Jew and non-Jew alike, his works stir up emotions far beyond what the eyes can perceive. While looking at his works, you see the colors dance, you see the colors explode; no definable shape is discernible, yet everything that exists or ever existed is in them.

The artist in front of one of his creations.

I’ve been speaking to Igal almost daily over last week, his is a fascinating life’s journey to orthodoxy and the healing process of painting. His website, tells us:

Igal Fedida, born and raised in Israel, moved to the United States at an early age to pursue a successful business career in construction, design and remodeling. Being of curious and deeply spiritual nature, however, he decided to take some time to get to know the World and he traveled to many distant and unusual pockets of our home planet. He enjoyed drawing, sketching and design since an early age and he discovered the love for photography during his travels, capturing images of nature and people alike.

Returning to Los Angeles, he enrolled in intensive photography study program at the UCLA. Exploring the world of photography, his need for expression drove him to develop a unique form where he combined Polaroid photographs with water color in order to deepen the effect of the image. In doing so he discovered that his need to express the nature and the World that surrounds us far surpasses the limited potential of photography. Subsequently, as if an invisible hand pointed a direction, the magic door opened and he was pulled into the world of painting.

The gallery (at 1482 First Avenue, between 77th and 78th in Manhattan’s Upper East Side), showing his series on Creation.

Meanwhile, in case you missed it, please listen to our broadcast with Dimitry Salita. Dimitry is another interesting personality, an Orthodox Jewish boxer!

Whatever you do, please don’t forget to listen in to our show with Igal Fedida this coming Wednesday at 10:00pm (Eastern Time). In fact, gentle reader, why don’t you call in (at 714.333.3357) while we are talking to this fascinating guest?

CS

For a Night of Wine and Art, to meet Igal Fedida,
to sip some great Israeli  wines and partake of some delicious cheeses
on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013,
click here

RELATED POSTS

A Night of Wine and Art

A Night of Wine and Art – Part 2