Anna Kamyshan, a talented Ukrainian artist and architect, has unveiled a striking installation that reimagines historical synagogues. Her creation, titled Nabatele, floats effortlessly above Venice’s Arsenale Nord during the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. This installation, suspended by a helium balloon, transforms the traditional notion of a fixed synagogue into an open, airborne sanctuary, visible from below. Nabatele explores themes of conflict, displacement, and the idea of belonging without land.
Constructed as an elaborate double-membrane helium balloon, Nabatele ascends as high as 25 meters (82 feet) above Venice’s lagoon. This masterpiece places the meticulously designed synagogue at its core, evoking a genuine place of worship elevated into the sky. Beneath this structure, a floating rocky base with dangling roots and stone fragments gives the appearance of suspended land. The piece adapts to the elements, hovering near the water on windy days and rising higher when calm, embodying a dynamic yet delicate balance.
Inspired by René Magritte’s 1959 painting “The Castle in the Pyrenees,” the installation shares thematic elements with the art classic, portraying hopes that have no fixed landing. The title “Nabatele” combines roots from Slavic and Semitic languages into a Yiddishized expression, meaning to “call attention” or “sound an alarm,” casting the glowing synagogue as both a beacon and a cherished entity.
Venice’s historical synagogues were discreetly located on the upper floors of buildings, hidden from street view. This installation subverts this narrative by elevating the synagogue into the sky, a visible highlight of this year’s Venice Biennale. “It explores the tension between gravity and buoyancy, the gentle effort of existing uprooted,” Kamyshan reflects. “The light from the synagogue windows represents an enduring inner flame, resilient amidst turmoil.”
The exploration of existing uprooted finds resonance in Brad Walls’ Visual Journey, which delves into themes of displacement and duality.
A Tribute to Yiddishland
Curated by Maria Veits and Yevgeniy Fiks, the piece embodies the concept of Yiddishland, a cultural realm forged from language and memory free from geopolitical borders. “Nabatele embodies Yiddishland, representing a diasporic belonging that exists independently of territory,” they state. Kamyshan’s personal history echoes through the work, linking to her efforts at Kyiv’s Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center under artistic director Ilya Khrzhanovsky.
Designed to travel, Nabatele will grace various cultural venues beyond Venice, with the Montreal Jewish Museum slated as its next North American host. Yet, Kamyshan focuses on the lasting image of the synagogue’s perpetually lit windows, a symbol of continuity as the structure shifts locations.
For more on unique installations, Peter K. Rollings’ Handmade Sonic Worlds offers a magical intersection of sound and simulation.
Her Nabatele by Anna Kamyshan is located at Arsenale Nord, Castello District, Venice, Italy.
Source: urdesignmag.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Anna Kamyshan’s installation Nabatele?
Nabatele is an artistic installation by Anna Kamyshan that reimagines historical synagogues. It is a helium balloon installation that floats above Venice’s Arsenale Nord, resembling an airborne sanctuary and exploring themes of conflict, displacement, and belonging.
Where was Nabatele displayed?
Nabatele was displayed above Venice’s Arsenale Nord during the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. It is designed to travel and is set to be showcased at the Montreal Jewish Museum as its next North American host.
What themes does Nabatele explore?
Nabatele explores themes of conflict, displacement, and the idea of belonging without land. It also addresses the tension between gravity and buoyancy, embodying a dynamic yet delicate balance.