Choices and Freedom: Rabbits Choice and Passover Seder
This black-and-white photograph captures J the day after the Passover Seder, in a candid and relaxed moment. J is sitting in what appears to be an informal or outdoor setting.
Behind J, a fragment of graffiti from the Rabbits Choice series by artist Maria Cohen is visible. Next to the graffiti, there is a light portal created with a mirror, which reflects light and adds a spatial dimension, enhancing the atmosphere of mystery and contemplation.
In Rabbits Choice, Cohen uses the rabbit as a central figure to reflect on the choices individuals face in their lives, often presenting these choices as playful yet profound. The artwork often combines graffiti with other media, creating vibrant and thought-provoking pieces that invite viewers to contemplate the nature of their decisions and the potential consequences. The use of bold colors, dynamic lines, and sometimes abstract forms gives the work an energetic, almost kinetic quality.
The inclusion of the Rabbits Choice graffiti in the background of the photograph adds a layer of interpretive depth. It suggests a thematic connection between the reflective moment captured in the image of J and the broader ideas of choice and introspection explored in Cohen’s work. The rabbit imagery, combined with the light portal created with the mirror, might symbolize a journey into one’s inner world or a contemplation of paths not taken.
Cohen’s project is known for its accessibility and its ability to resonate with a wide audience, blending street art aesthetics with deeper philosophical questions. Rabbits Choice often appears in urban environments, making it a dialogue between the artwork, the space it inhabits, and the people who interact with it. This interaction adds a living, evolving quality to the project, as each viewer brings their own interpretations and experiences to the work.
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The second image is a black-and-white photograph that captures a moment during a Jewish Passover Seder. In the foreground, there is a large piece of matzah (unleavened bread), a staple of the Seder meal, placed on a plate. Two wine glasses filled with red wine are also visible on the table, a common element of the Seder as participants drink four cups of wine during the ceremony.
J is the leader of the Passover Seder, holding a Haggadah and reading the text. The photograph has a candid, intimate feel, focusing on the hands and objects rather than the faces, giving a sense of the importance and solemnity of the occasion. The black-and-white format adds to the timeless and reflective quality of the image.
This photograph was captured using a Leica M-A camera, a fully mechanical 35mm rangefinder that is prized for its precision and simplicity. The camera’s fully manual operation emphasizes the photographer’s skill, making each shot intentional and thoughtful. The film used is Ilford Delta 100, known for its fine grain, sharpness, and excellent tonal range. This combination of the Leica M-A and Ilford Delta 100 enhances the image’s detail, contrast, and depth, perfectly complementing the solemn and reflective atmosphere of the Passover Seder.
This parallel between the introspective nature of Cohen’s Rabbits Choice and the Passover Seder extends further when considering the Seder’s central theme: the commemoration of the Jewish people’s exodus from slavery in Egypt. Just as Cohen’s work explores the choices and freedom faced by individuals, the Passover Seder reflects on the collective journey from bondage to freedom, making both the photograph and the artwork a contemplation of liberation, whether personal or communal.