In That Case: Havruta in Contemporary Art–David Wilson and Francesco Spagnolo

Oakland based artist David Wilson collaborates with Francesco Spagnolo, the Curator of the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life. Wilson researched and drew objects from the Magnes’ collection. Spagnolo expands on and plays with the origins and meanings of the objects.

Mima‘amaqim (from the depth of the collection)

Inspired by the ambiguity of the Hebrew word found in Psalm 130, mima‘amaqim, David Wilson and Francesco Spagnolo have been collaborating on a deep study of the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life at UC Berkeley.

Mima‘amaqim, translated alternatively as “from [or out of] the depths” or de profundis, is a concept that evokes deep valleys, dark places, and mysteries. For several months, Wilson has been working in the deep storage of the Magnes, finding, researching, looking at, and drawing objects from the four corners of the world. Each drawing session culminates in a conversation with Spagnolo, who expands on and plays with the origins and meanings of the objects portrayed.

This installation is the result of their collaboration. Artifacts, drawings, and annotations open a window into the process of bringing out the life of an object, unleashing its performative powers.

The conversation is, by all means, not over.