Over the last few years Berg, who resides in Golden, Colorado, has achieved wide-spread recognition, both in the art community as well as among astute collectors, for his sumptuous and haunting abstract paintings. Berg’s paintings are informed by a remarkable range of art-historical influences. One can easily discern in them a debt to abstract expressionism, color-field painting, surrealist automatism, as well as to the raw, brutish intensity of artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat. While he has clearly absorbed the last 60 years of American art, Berg’s paintings are fresh and revelatory, remarkable in their capacity to express the inexpressible and to reconcile the opposing qualities of action and contemplation, raucous cacophony and deep silence.

Apart from their allusions to art-historical movements and figures, Berg’s paintings are animated by the artist’s immersion in the archetypal depth psychology of Carl Jung. Art critic Stephanie Grilli astutely observes “Surrendering to the creative process, Berg taps into what Carl Jung described as ‘the play instinct acting from inner necessity.’ His Jungian studies and practice led Berg to a variety of spiritual and esoteric traditions. Kabbalistic mysticism, medieval hermeticism and classical mythologies are evident in the paintings’ mysterious capacity to speak directly, immediately and joyfully to our own quest for “wholeness” and a life authentically lived.” Describing his art practice Berg states “I paint to discover the meaning and purpose of my life.” Berg paintings are suffused with what Jungian psychology has described as the anomalous figures of the “demon” and the “angel.” They are imagination’s liberating agents who embody an irrational splendor, unleashing their primal forces into works of art.

The exhibition’s title is taken from one of the paintings in the exhibition which in turn derives from the biblical story of Daniel – specifically Daniel 1-28. “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin” were words written by a mysterious hand which appeared on the wall of King Belshazzar’s palace during a sumptuous banquet in which the King and his guests were drinking wine from the golden vessels they had ransacked from the Temple in Jerusalem. Unable to decipher the inscription, the King sent for Daniel. Daniel explained that the king had been “weighed” and found wanting by God and that as a result his Kingdom would be conquered and divided among the Medes and the Persian. The portentous phrase “The writing on the wall” has come to mean that an ominous and violently rupturing event is inevitable.

The Singer Gallery, 350 South Dahlia Street in Denver will host a reception for Andrew Berg at MACC’s Singer Gallery on February 19 from 3-5 p.m. Additionally, The Singer Gallery will also host a special event, in cooperation with Michele Mosko Fine Art, titled, “Curator and Artist: A Conversation” with Simon Zalkind and Andrew Berg,” on March 11 at 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Andrew Berg is represented by Michele Mosko Fine Art. For more information and Singer Gallery hours please visit www.maccjcc.org.

Previous selections were the controversial film, The Wave, and the intelligent comedy, The Trotsky. This year’s selection, Dolphin Boy, despite its misleading name is actually a serious film that explores yet another film genre, documentary. Dolphin Boy follows the journey of Morad, a high school student from an Arab village in northern Israel, who is kidnapped and brutally beaten by classmates when an innocent text message to a female classmate is misinterpreted. Although weeks later Morad appears physically healed, he remains completely disconnected from humans and unable to communicate, suffering from extreme post traumatic stress disorder. Morad then enters a treatment facility in Eilat where he begins to interact with dolphins and, eventually, with the humans around him. The documentary follows him through four years of recovery interweaving documentation from Morad’s doctor, tapes from the dolphin facility and footage shot by the filmmakers who are granted exceptional access by Morad and his family throughout his difficult journey.

A Colorado premiere, Dolphin Boy has won an Israeli Ophir for Best Documentary and Jury Mention Award and has been featured at the Jerusalem Film Festival and Hotdocs Documentary Film Festival.

As has been the custom for the previous two years, the teens have put together a post screening event. This year, a different type of gathering will take place that will feature an interactive art activity. At the “Art Happening for Teens,” participants will learn from Morad’s transformation and share their own journey through creative interpretation in a group activity guided by noted artist and educator, Judith Cassel-Mamet.

To gain access to these two exciting events, teens need only purchase the $5 “Teen Ticket” which includes admission to the film, Dolphin Boy, seating with peers, post film discussion with the filmmakers, participation in the Art Happening, music, snacks and beverages, plus the opportunity to win gift certificates

Both the film and Art Happening will take place at the Denver Film Center/Colfax, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. Please call the (303) 316-6360 with any questions or to purchase your ticket. For more information on the 16^th Denver Jewish Film Festival please visit, www.maccjcc.org/film.

As the dust from the construction of MACC’s brand new Elaine Wolf Theatre will not quite be settled in time, the DJFF will hold its screenings at the Denver Film Center on Colfax, 2510 E. Colfax in Denver. The Box Office location leading up to the Festival will remain on the MACC campus, 350 S. Dahlia St. in Denver, Colorado.

As has been the tradition of the DJFF, this year’s schedule of hand-selected films spans a broad spectrum of subject matter and genres. The opening night film, Restoration, winner of the Dramatic Screenwriting Award at Sundance, is a beautifully filmed, character driven story full of subtleties and nuances that will stay with you long after the film has ended.

The movie, Nicky’s Family, chronicles the life of Sir Nicholas Winton, whose long-unknown, heroic work organizing the rescue of 669 Czech and Slovak children before the outbreak of WWII, now inspires thousands to positive action. Incessant Visions-Letters from an Architect is an illuminating documentary about visionary German Jewish architect Erich Mendelsohn, the “busiest architect in Germany.” Visions brings to life the vibrant work and relationships of this extraordinary individual.

Take the ingredients of the classic American slasher flick, add more than a touch of camp and a sly cinematic wink and you get Rabies. With this genre being new to the DJFF, Israel’s firsrt-ever horror film, Rabies, will be screened late night in conjunction with an event exclusively for young professionals sponsored by MACC XY Events. Several short films will be screened preceding other full length films, including A Reuben By Any Other Name, a hilarious look at the “traditional” Reuben sandwich and I’m Ready, a touching tome about a father/son relationship.

My Best Enemy, a swiftly paced thriller about two friends in a cat-and-mouse chase involving betrayal, role-reversal, romance and intrigue will keep audiences guessing up to the last shot. Famed Israeli director Etyan Fox brings us Mary Lou, the story of a young man who embarks on a search for his mother and in this process discovers his true self. This musical dramady, a cross between “Glee,” Mamma Mia and “Modern Family,” will have you swaying in your seats.

Marilyn Krajicek is an academician at the University of Colorado, College of nursing department of pediatrics school of medicine at the Anschutz campus.

After an auto accident in the spring of 2005, Marilyn had physical therapy. Her therapist told her that if she did not continue with exercise she would lose everything she’s gained so she began to explore programs. Coincidentally Marilyn knew someone who was a member of the JCC so she wandered over one day and started to work with Erin Crane, one of the JCC trainers.

Since 2009, Marilyn has been working with Erin twice per week. Sometimes Marilyn comes on Sunday morning to work out on her own. “I can’t stress enough the value of working with a trainer”, states Krajicek. “Erin keeps me motivated and monitors closely what I’m doing so I don’t hurt myself. I could workout at a club closer to me, but I feel as if the JCC is my home. I connect well with Erin and have been able to learn about nutrition.” With Erin’s help, Marilyn has lost
20 pounds and has kept it off. “Erin helped me talk it through”, adds Krajicek, “and this was very critical. Physical therapy plus nutrition is my formula for a healthier life cycle.”

We recognize Marilyn as our January member of the month.
Thank you, Marilyn, for being a part of our Center.