Collection by Aaron Britt

Stanley Saitowitz's Judaica

The South African-born, San Francisco-based architect Stanley Saitowitz is no stranger to the intersection of Judaism and design. His firm, Natoma Architects Inc., is responsible for synagogues in San Francisco and La Jolla, California, as well as the New England Holocaust Memorial on Boston's Freedom Trail. His latest work in this rich vein is a collection of ritual objects now on view at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco. "Stanley Saitowitz: Judaica" runs through October 2012 and shows the architect stripping away centuries of accreted ornamentation, filigree, and schmaltz from 13 objects of Jewish worship. "These objects are the instruments of ritual and I designed them to be stripped of sentiment, which I don't believe provides much comfort anyway." Check out the collection and do make it to the show if you pass through San Francisco.

The tzedakah box is for alms, the required caring for of the less fortunate. 

Stanley Saitowitz, Tzedakah Box, 2011, nickel and resin, 3 x 3 x 7 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
The tzedakah box is for alms, the required caring for of the less fortunate. Stanley Saitowitz, Tzedakah Box, 2011, nickel and resin, 3 x 3 x 7 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
Here's Saitowitz's seder plate. "We have some really ugly Judaica," he told me when we spoke about the show. "I wanted to make objects that would feel right on my glass table with Chilewich placemats."

Stanley Saitowitz, Seder Plate, 2011, nickel and resin, 20 x 7.5 x 1 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
Here's Saitowitz's seder plate. "We have some really ugly Judaica," he told me when we spoke about the show. "I wanted to make objects that would feel right on my glass table with Chilewich placemats." Stanley Saitowitz, Seder Plate, 2011, nickel and resin, 20 x 7.5 x 1 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
This pair of shabbat candles is a prime example of the spare, industrial aesthetic of the collection. Much of the impetus behind the Judaica series is to find the rational, formal essence of the object. Saitowitz said that the collection "purifies the ceremonies in its purity."

Stanley Saitowitz, Shabbat Candlesticks, 2010, chrome plated steel, 8.5 x 4.5 x 8.75 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by MG Mcgrath. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Brian McGanty.
This pair of shabbat candles is a prime example of the spare, industrial aesthetic of the collection. Much of the impetus behind the Judaica series is to find the rational, formal essence of the object. Saitowitz said that the collection "purifies the ceremonies in its purity." Stanley Saitowitz, Shabbat Candlesticks, 2010, chrome plated steel, 8.5 x 4.5 x 8.75 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by MG Mcgrath. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Brian McGanty.
The Netilat Yadayim cup is used for ritual handwashing. 

Stanley Saitowitz, Netilat Yadayim Cup, 2011, nickel and resin, 3 x 3 x 4 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
The Netilat Yadayim cup is used for ritual handwashing. Stanley Saitowitz, Netilat Yadayim Cup, 2011, nickel and resin, 3 x 3 x 4 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
The rimonim are endcaps for the Torah, and are outfitted with bells that jingle as the Torah is carried around. The Hebrew word "rimonim" means "pomegranate."

Stanley Saitowitz, Rimonim, 2011, nickel, brass and resin, 5 x 5 x 10 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
The rimonim are endcaps for the Torah, and are outfitted with bells that jingle as the Torah is carried around. The Hebrew word "rimonim" means "pomegranate." Stanley Saitowitz, Rimonim, 2011, nickel, brass and resin, 5 x 5 x 10 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
The mezuzah holds a tiny Torah scroll and is affixed to the door frame of a Jewish home. Saitowitz was quick to discuss how Judaism has an uncommon comfort with abstraction, thus the ease with which he fits ritual objects into a modernist idiom. "Concepts govern our laws and actions," he says. 

Stanley Saitowitz, Mezuzah, 2010, chrome plated aluminum, 1.5 x .375 x 4.5 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by MG Mcgrath Inc. Courtesy of the artist.
The mezuzah holds a tiny Torah scroll and is affixed to the door frame of a Jewish home. Saitowitz was quick to discuss how Judaism has an uncommon comfort with abstraction, thus the ease with which he fits ritual objects into a modernist idiom. "Concepts govern our laws and actions," he says. Stanley Saitowitz, Mezuzah, 2010, chrome plated aluminum, 1.5 x .375 x 4.5 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by MG Mcgrath Inc. Courtesy of the artist.
Stanley Saitowitz, Etrog Box, 2011, nickel and resin, 3.5 x 5.5 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
Stanley Saitowitz, Etrog Box, 2011, nickel and resin, 3.5 x 5.5 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
Stanley Saitowitz, Kiddush Cup, 2011, nickel, brass and resin, 3 x 3 x 7 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
Stanley Saitowitz, Kiddush Cup, 2011, nickel, brass and resin, 3 x 3 x 7 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
Stanley Saitowitz, Havdalah Set, 2011, nickel, brass and resin, 13 x 3 x 8 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
Stanley Saitowitz, Havdalah Set, 2011, nickel, brass and resin, 13 x 3 x 8 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
Stanley Saitowitz, Menorah, 1995, stainless steel, 16.5 x 4.5 x 8.75 inches. Fabrication by Natoma Architects. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Brian McGanty.
Stanley Saitowitz, Menorah, 1995, stainless steel, 16.5 x 4.5 x 8.75 inches. Fabrication by Natoma Architects. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Brian McGanty.
Stanley Saitowitz, Matzah Plate, 2011, nickel and resin, 7.5 x 7.5 x 1 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
Stanley Saitowitz, Matzah Plate, 2011, nickel and resin, 7.5 x 7.5 x 1 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
Stanley Saitowitz, Challah Cover, 2011, wool yarn, 18 x 12 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.
Stanley Saitowitz, Challah Cover, 2011, wool yarn, 18 x 12 inches. Artist rendering. Fabrication by Dupliform Casting Company. Courtesy of the artist.