The Ocean Between Us

The second installment of the MJM’s 2018-2019 Movements & Migrations exhibition series, —The Ocean Between Us— is a research-based community photography installation by Yuula Benivolski.

***extended to June 22, 2019!***

Russian-Jewish artist Yuula Benivolski has interviewed and photographed Jewish immigrants in Montreal from eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East —documenting stories, heirlooms, letters and photos of their family members who never made it across the ocean. Touching on themes of diaspora, inter-community connections and intergenerational folklore –The Ocean Between Us creates physical and psychic threads between those who left and those who stayed. By exploring collective memory and identity through a lens of perseverance and humour, Benivolski’s work employs the immigrant narrative to break down stigma, to build and strengthen intergenerational ties, and to create a sense of belonging.

In the evenings, projections of the ocean from the coast of St. Petersburg, Russia will fill the Museum’s street facing windows, accompanied by transcribed excerpts from the Museum’s oral history collection featuring stories of Montreal’s diverse Jewish immigrant experiences. Inside the Gallery of the Museum of Jewish Montreal, Benivolski’s research will be installed, which includes her photography, documentation, and collections of letters and heirlooms for visitors to explore.

The exhibition will be on display from February 1 to May 5, 2019; during which the Museum will be offering related story-telling events, artist talks, and educational programming inspired by and exploring the exhibition’s themes.

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— About the Artist —

Russian Born Toronto-based Artist Yuula Benivolski’s multidisciplinary practice spans photography, video and installation. Her work explores aspects of collective memory and identity using strategies of visual archiving, storytelling and autobiography. She received an MFA from Concordia University in Montreal and has recently exhibited at Trinity Square Video, Art Metropole and the Vancouver Art Book Fair.

— About Movements & Migrations —

The Movement & Migrations exhibition series confronts local and global mobilities, whether physical, spiritual, ideological, or emotional. Where an exhibition is a story, this series creates space for visual narratives that explore displacement, transition, loss, and/or the (re)creation of belonging. Through Movement & Migrations, importance is placed on engaging with stories different than our own, but also recognizing ourselves in the stories of others – an increasingly important and necessary encounter in the current political climate.

— About the Museum of Jewish Montreal —

The Museum of Jewish Montreal (MJM) is a not-for-profit organization that explores and shares the diverse histories and experiences of Montreal’s Jewish community. Through innovative, multidisciplinary programming, our museum provides an accessible gateway for people across Canada to learn about and interact with Montreal’s Jewish culture, art and heritage while also enabling the public to share their stories and experiences.

for up-to-date information on our events and programming, visit our website at http://museemontrealjuif.ca/events/ or follow Musée du Montréal juif – Museum of Jewish Montreal