© Dena Elisabeth Eber
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This work addresses the way contemporary American Jewish women reconcile their ancient identities within the context of their feminist ideals in an assimilated world. To have this conversation I use the ancient religious ritual performed by women of immersing oneself in a “mikveh,” a Jewish ritual bath. The ancient remains in the images are authentic mikveh ruins, while the other live waters represent actual mikveh baths.
This work addresses the way contemporary American Jewish women reconcile their ancient identities within the context of their feminist ideals in an assimilated world. To have this conversation I use the ancient religious ritual performed by women of immersing oneself in a “mikveh,” a Jewish ritual bath. The ancient remains in the images are authentic mikveh ruins, while the other live waters represent actual mikveh baths.
In this eighteen-image portfolio I use Barbie and live models to represent both contemporary women and ancient ones. The models represent biblical matriarchs and embody a voice that these women would have expressed had they been given one. Barbie, who was designed by the Jewish German immigrant Ruth Handler, epitomizes a desire to fit into American culture through a reconstructed identity.
Every three works belong together to represent the three immersions associated with one mikveh prayer. There are eighteen images, which is the numerical value of the Hebrew word “chai,” meaning “life.” Thus, the eighteen images represent six mikveh prayers—three for Barbie and three for the Matriarchs. Viewers are invited to imagine their own spiritual and transformative prayers, both for our matriarchs and for themselves.
© Dena Elisabeth Eber
Biography
CURRENT POSITION
Professor, Digital Arts since 1997
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH USA
EDUCATION
Ph.D. University of Georgia, Digital Arts, 1997; MFA University of
Georgia, Digital Arts, 1994; MS Colorado State University,
Computer Science, 1990; BS Colorado State University,
Mathematics, 1987.
AREAS OF RESEARCH/ARTISTIC FOCUS:
Ph.D. University of Georgia, Digital Arts, 1997; MFA University of
Georgia, Digital Arts, 1994; MS Colorado State University,
Computer Science, 1990; BS Colorado State University,
Mathematics, 1987.
For her Ph.D. research, Dr. Eber explored the art and aesthetics of
artistic virtual environments (VE), especially the learning and
creative process for artists involved with making them. Her MFA
research included alternative ways of digital image capture and
representation.
Dr. Eber’s artistic endeavors include VE art works, imaging,
digital mixed media and interactive installations. Her latest
bodies of work address two themes of identity: that of being a
mother and a Jew. She approaches both from a feminist
perspective and the works most often include ideas of universal
identity. Her widely exhibited digital imaging work includes
mixed media, but is heavily influenced by fine art photography,
which she has been practicing for over 30 years. Many of the
works appear as singular photographic images, but are usually
many different combined images, and in some cases, include
collage and paint both from physical and digital sources.
Dr. Eber has presented her research at national and international
conferences and has many publications in national and
international journals. She also curates international digital
exhibitions such as SIGGRAPH and the International Digital
Media and Arts Association’s (iDMAa) iDEAs.
Presently, Dr. Eber is a Professor of Digital Arts at Bowling Green
State University
in Ohio.