Colorado Art RanchPhoto: David Peterson
 

 

benjaminLeona Lazar

Artist
Denver, CO

Leona Lazar holds a B.S. degree in Fine Art from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and a Master of Arts in Integrated Arts for Children from Loretta Heights College in St. Louis.  Her work has been shown at the Loveland Museum, the Art Students League of Denver and is in private collections in Chicago, Tucson and Denver.

As an active member of the arts community since the mid-1970s, she has held the position of Executive Director of the Art Students League of Denver since 2000. Prior to her joining the League, she was the Associate Director of the Mizel Museum of Judaica.  In addition to working as an artist and as a professional in arts administration, she has been a curator, juror, art consultant, video producer and designer of participatory exhibits for children.
She has also been involved on many boards and committees in arts organizations as an advocate for artists and arts funding.  Leona was a founding board member of Celebrate Colorado Artists.  She chaired major events including Denver’s Naturalization Celebration 2000, and the National Conference for the Council of American Jewish Museums. 

About the DIA Project
When Eve Met Lilith
 A Folk Tale about Lilith & Eve
According to myths, Lilith was the first woman, created as an equal to Adam in the Garden of Eden.  She was beautiful, seductive and had the wings of an angel. In modern times, she would be considered the original feminist who refused to allow Adam to dominate her in any way. As a free spirit, she refused this domination and decided to fly out of Eden, away to a cave by the sea.  Adam appealed to G-d who then sent three angels to return her to him. When she refused to return, the angels threatened to drown her in the Red Sea, but she would not yield.  The angels did not drown her, but she was banned from Eden.

Some myths reveal that to avenge the wrongs done to her, Lilith swore to snatch the souls of helpless infants. It is because of this folk tale that amulets bearing the names of the three angels are used to protect newborns - even today in some homes.  From this perspective, Lilith is the negative side of woman; assertive, seductive, wild, and ultimately destructive.  

As the story goes, Adam again appealed to G-d to give him a mate who was a bit less assertive.  To satisfy this, Eve was created from Adam’s rib and is portrayed as a devoted wife and mother, passive, faithful, and supportive - a positive polarity in contrast to the negative aspects of Lilith.

As I came to “know” Lilith, I began to imagine how interesting it would be if Lilith and Eve met and I could ease-drop on their conversation. What in the world would they talk about? When Eve Met Lilith became my own myth, I wanted you, the viewer, to also imagine what the first women of creation might be discussing, woman-to-woman. 

This narrative sculpture installation incorporates elements of nature as well as commercial products.  Myths can become metaphors and open doors to the imagination.  Have fun!


 


 

  

33 IDEAS!, an exhibit of art, writing and ideas
March 15-June 15, 2010

Denver International Airport

DIA PostcardThis exhibit showcases visual and literary artists associated with Colorado Art Ranch as presenters, artists in residence, or Nomads at one or more Artposia. The artists were selected because they use their passion, skills, knowledge, and talent to ask questions and react to the world around them. The work, in turn, inspires us to ask questions and view the world from different perspectives.

33 IDEAS! is on display at the Ansbacher Hall: The Art of Colorado, on the walkway between the terminal and A Gates before the security screening. The hall is accessible for everyone’s enjoyment.

For more information contact DIA Art Program at
(303) 342-2521 or visit www.flydenver.com/art

 

Keep update on the program.
Join our email news list.