The Book of Ecclesiastes brings its wisdom to the reader in a poetic way, asking for poetic and visual responses. I could not resist the invitation.
This book reflects my vision of the third chapter, containing possibly the most well-known and celebrated lines of poetry in the Bible. Each phrase seems to challenge our beliefs, pressing us to answer the eternal questions that haunt each generation:
When is the right time for war?
What is love and what is hatred?
Where do we reap the profit from our deeds – in this life or the next?
I had multiple deeply emotive responses to Ecclesiastes that evolved into a single poem and a single black-white print that reflects my soul’s confrontation with each thought expressed by the King of Israel… and my inability to choose a definitive response. Always, before my eyes, while creating this project, I followed the advice of my mentor and my guide – To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
Ittai Altshuler was born in Jerusalem in 1963. He is an artist and a poet and has exhibited his works in Israel and abroad. He has published three books of poetry and translated selected poems of the Guatemalan poet Humberto Ak’abal into Hebrew. Ittai Altshuler has a degree in History and Philosophy. He is a Systems Analyst and Software Developer. His latest book, Living The Vital Element, tells the story of a Method he developed to help those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) move on with their lives. He lives in the mid forest of the Western Galilee, is married and has two children.
