"And There Was Light" is seven hinged page folding metal book that holds a spice box or besamin.
And There Was Light is an example of contemporary Judaica. This is a double-sided hinged metal book constructed from recycled tin cans. Each page symbolically represents a day of creation.
One side is the biblical narrative. (shown above) Every culture holds some legend for the origins of the earth and humanity. The biblical narrative of Genesis provides a powerful poetic drama with six days of work and the seventh day for rest and reflection.
On the other side, each page illustrates an analogous theme of secular achievements from enlightenment and logic to the scientific and engineering feats of humanity. For each page, the biblical event on one side relates to the secular theme on the other side.
Defining the relationships of the moon, sun, and stars as the passage of time, exploring the world in the search for spices, and acknowledging that the multitude of races and religions of the world hold more similarities than differences.
The final page, the day of rest, has a doorway-like niche within which the Besamin Spice Box rests.
The Spice Box container is modeled after a contemporary door, inspired by historical Spice Boxes that mimicked the architecture of their time. The curtain on the reverse side of the Spice Box is pierced to allow the scent of the spice to permeate the air. As a portal between the personal inner sanctum of peace and the world beyond, the Spice Box helps us to pause and reflect amidst the rush of modern living.
Many of the pages were constructed using spice tins. The materials are a metaphor for the concept of a spice box, and the spirit of tzedakah.
Shipping and display of “And There Was Light”
This book weighs about 10 pounds, but it folds up compactly for shipping. It can be displayed in any number of configurations, though shows all the pages best when fully extended.
And There Was Light is included in 500 Handmade Books and featured on the back cover. It is also included in the book 500 Judaica and Modern Judaica
Each page of And There was Light
Constructed from recycled tin containers and spice tins, vintage steel dollhouses, 10 k. gold rivets, aluminum rivets, stainless steel screws.
Each panel:14.25"H x 9"W Entire book: 14.25"H x 46"W
Day of Rest
This is the final page, the day of rest, surrounded by the modern city and skyline. Look at the center closely. The spice box has been removed for the left photograph.
The Spice box fits in the doorway-like niche (right photo.) It represents a portal between the personal inner sanctum of peace to the world beyond. The spice box helps us to pause and reflect amidst the rush of modern living.