Portraits by Arnold Newman

If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.  — Woody Allen

On Christmas Day,  I’m pleased to say there’s plenty of room in this world for One World One People, an exhibit of Jewish photographic portraits by Arnold Newman, at the Milwaukee Jewish Museum, 1360 N. Prospect Ave.

Newman’s work celebrates Jewish entertainers, artists, philosophers and politicians.

Jerry Benjamin, president of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, happened to be in the museum lobby. He told me that the uniqueness of the work is rooted in Newman photographing his subjects in their respective environments.

A few nights ago I watched Woody Allen’s 1976 flick, The Front, about blacklisting in the 50s. There, in the 25’ x 12’ gallery on the north wall, was Woody himself, photographed on his bed in 1996. Nearby is a great 1962 image of Zero Mostel, who has a major role in the movie. I learn from the text panel, that Zero, an actor, was also a painter. And there’s Danny Kaye, circa 1949.

Molly Dubin, the museum’s exhibits and program coordinator, curated the show and toured me through the black and white images. I can think of no one more fully qualified (she has a Masters in Art History & Museum Studies) to enhance the stories behind the multiple photographs.

Louise Nevelson, 1972, so slick, sleek and modern. Architects, politicians, musicians and activists.

“We are a living, growing Jewish culture,” said Dubin. She notes that even though most visitors expect to see Holocaust images, the intent of this curatorial effort is to emphasize that Jewish history is ongoing. Adjacent to the exhibition are walls addressing WWII and the deeper history of the Jewish culture. I’ll return to study that section, but for now I’m happy to learn that Newman (1918-2006) began his career as a free-lance photographer for Life Magazine. His first assignment, in 1950, was to shape a photo story titled “What do U.S. Museums Buy?”

On the south wall of the intimate and very serene gallery, Golda Meir’s image, taken in her office in Jerusalem, echoes her Milwaukee connection. She’s smoking.

Next up (mid-May to August, 2012) in this gallery is a show themed around Jewish weddings, followed by an in-depth look (Exclusionary Measures) at the establishment of a Jewish hospital (Mt. Sinai) and a Jewish country club and how they came to be.

Prior to the tour, I fretted that because I’m neither Jewish nor a photographer. I asked Dubin what it means to be Jewish, and she pointed to a large duo of text panels in the lobby. In case you want to know “who are the Jews?”…. it’s all there in big bold type.

What a way to spend a few hours and emerge fully informed. Edward Durell Stone designed the original digs, which were renovated in 2005 to create the museum space, designed by Gallagher and Associates. A generous space filled with light and generous employees. If you haven’t yet visited, do so.

For further information, visit the museum’s website or Facebook page.