Out of Body: Fragmentation in Art

The encyclopedic collections of the Israel Museum make it possible to present thematic exhibitions of exceptional richness and historical reach. Out of Body brought together objects from the wings for archaeology, Jewish art and life, and the fine arts – along with a number of key loans – in order to explore the ritual and artistic representation of human limbs and organs and raise questions about the power of focusing on the part rather than the whole. Examples range from prehistoric phallic figurines through ancient votive offerings and medieval reliquaries to works of Surrealist, Pop, and contemporary art. A brief essay by the exhibition’s curator, Tanya Sirakovich, precedes a visually striking album of works together with entries by specialists from the many departments housing these objects.