As Melbourne begins to open up after lockdown, a kaleidoscopic structure reflecting on thousands of years of Jewish tradition has appeared on the lawns of Birrarung Marr.
Known as Sukkah, the colourful installation is a collaboration between architect Zahava Elenberg and the Jewish Museum of Australia. It was originally to be unveiled for the week-long Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot in early October, but the city’s lockdown delayed its opening.
The proponents hope the installation will now act as a new outdoor meeting place for locals venturing into the city once again, as a representation of “community, connection and reflection.”
Elenberg said the design of the installation reflects the long-held Jewish tradition of constructing temporary booths or huts in which to rejoice with family, friends and neighbours.
“Sukkah is a temporary shelter in memory of the huts used by the Israelites as they wandered the Sinai Desert during their exodus from Egypt. It is a place of memory and empathy for those who are homeless and displaced,” she said.
Each of its components is embedded with symbolic meaning, the colours referencing the four species mentioned in the Torah that are of particular significance to the Sukkot festival: the etrog, hadas, aravah and lulav.
Read the article in ArchitectureAU.