Tikkun Olam – Mending the Social Fabric

Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education (OJMCHE)’s exhibition, Mending the Social Fabric, by textile artist Bonnie Meltzer has at its core a parachute with a 314-foot circumference that is encircled by 75 handkerchiefs embroidered with text that amplifies the mending motif. The parachute, a symbol of safety, has rips and tears and throughout the exhibition, interactive community building happens as visitors sit and mend the damage. “This interactive fabric installation is NOT one giant Kvetch about the unraveling of the social fabric, instead, it embraces action, hope, and healing,” said Meltzer. Mounted behind the parachute are textiles from across the globe representing all Americans. “ I believe that people are the foundation warp threads of the social fabric and our actions are the weft threads that turn it into cloth.”

Mending the Social Fabric, made specifically for OJMCHE, is guided by the Jewish principle “Tikkun Olam,” which means “repair the world”. Originally to open in October 2020, the emphasis was intended to be on citizen action, voting, and immigration. As the terrible events of 2020 unfolded and the exhibit date was moved to 2021, the exhibition’s vision was refocused and expanded. Additional themes of Covid-19, social justice, and safety nets were woven into the installation.

Throughout the exhibition, the museum will be sharing dates and times when visitors can join the artist in mending bees.
“The very act of gathering together as a community to sew on a giant parachute will help mend the isolation and pain so many have felt in the last year,” said Meltzer.

Admission for the Mending the Social Fabric exhibition exhibit is free, however there is an admission fee for other parts of the museum.

This project has been partially funded by an artist project grant from RACC as well as private donors.

MUSEUM HOURS
Wednesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

MEET the ARTIST MENDING BEES SESSIONS:
October 7,9,10,16,17
11 a.m. to  4 p.m.