Mel Bochner, American, b. 1940
The Joys of Yiddish, 2012
Oil and acrylic on two canvases
100 × 85 in. (254 × 215.9 cm)

For want of something different to do on a rainy day my partner-in-crime and I ventured a bit farther north than we usually go to visit the Jewish Museum. I was intrigued by the current exhibition Revolution of the Eye – Modern Art and the Birth of American Television, but discovered so much more.

Our first stop was in the permanent exhibit Culture and Continuity – The Jewish Journey. Do yourself a favor and take the free audio tour of this exhibit. It was fascinating. From funny anecdotal stories to descriptions about the historical relevance of various objects, it sheds a whole different light on what seems to be just another menorah, mezuzah and painting depicting Jews past and present. We learned and laughed. Then, like a couple of wandering Jews, we walked through the Laurie Simmons – How We See, Repetition and Difference and finished the afternoon viewing Revolution of the Eye – Modern Art and the Birth of American Television. This exhibit uses various media to show how artists, especially those young and Jewish, influenced television from its inception. The exhibit also shows how television was and remains an art form that continues to influence (but it’s certainly no longer as high-brow as The Twilight Zone, for example).

You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy the Jewish Museum. There’s art, history, exhibits for children… and if you want a good laugh, stop in the gift shop and check out the tchotchkes and novelties like the Jewish Mother Gum. Then go home and sit by the phone waiting for your children to call. LAR

The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Avenue @ 92nd Street

Hours:   Daily 11a-5:45p, Thursday 11:45-8p

Ticket Prices: $15,

Discounts: Pay-what-you-wish on Thursday between 5-8p

Revolution of the Eye – Modern Art and the Birth of Television runs thru September 27, 2015