Jerusalem Biennale turns art into catalyst for post-October 7 healing
Alongside the exhibitions, the seven-week program will include gallery discussions, artist and curator talks, guided tours, workshops, performances, and special events.
The seventh annual Jerusalem Biennale kicks off on Thursday, delivering a potent message of resilience to the heart of Israel. Spanning 21 sites across the city, the contemporary art extravaganza will showcase over 250 Israeli and international artists across 42 exhibitions. Admission to the exhibitions is free, with a few exceptions charging a standard entry fee.
This year's theme, De Profundis (From the Depths), draws from the opening lines of Psalm 130 and delves into memory, spirituality, and identity in the aftermath of the collective trauma following October 7. Founder and creative director Rami Ozeri sees the theme as a catalyst for personal and communal growth, stating that art serves as a bridge from the subconscious to expression, connection, and illumination.
Among the notable Israeli artists participating is Yehudit Sasportas, whose video and sound installation, Mishpat Mokesh (A Mined Sentence), premieres on October 12 at the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum. The work explores buried histories, trauma, and the prospects of transformation and healing. Belu-Simion Fainaru will contribute to the central exhibition, Or Chozer (Reflected Light), while Hanita Ilan, a recipient of the 2025 Rappaport Prize, presents a solo exhibition at Hamiffal Gallery.
The exhibitions tackle the complexities of the present moment head-on. Or Chozer, for instance, features 20 artists engaging with Mordecai Ardon's utopian windows, questioning how to maintain a vision of peace amid the fractures caused by the recent events. At the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, Open Wound unites 14 Israeli and Diaspora artists to explore the far-reaching consequences of October 7, transcending geographical boundaries.
Beyond the exhibitions, the seven-week program includes gallery discussions, artist and curator talks, guided tours, workshops, performances, and special events. These gatherings offer audiences the chance to interact directly with the artists and delve into the concepts behind the artwork, transforming the Biennale into a communal form of prayer for renewal and hope. For more information, visit jerusalembiennale.org.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
