The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan has announced UNMASKED, a multidisciplinary art exhibit on the concept of masks tied to culture and identity and will be on view March 17-June 5.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks have become part of our daily lives, helping to keep communities safe. However, UNMASKED plans to display the concept of masking in relation to ancient, historical and cultural ways.

The exhibition will feature photographs, paintings, ceramics and video installations.

“UNMASKED is a collective exhibition of artists from three different continents, hailing from cultural hubs such as London, Paris, Tel Aviv, Haifa, New York and Los Angeles,” said Udi Urman, curator of the exhibition and director of the Lambert’s MMJCCM. Center for Arts + Ideas. “The exhibition presents a range of styles and media, but is structured by asking the question: “What happens when we mask ourselves? What happens when we unmask? The selected artists answer these questions in unique ways, often with humor, exploring their own identities and how we come to know each other through technology and each other.

The eight artists who plan to explore the concept of masking specific to their cultures and identities are Guy Aon, Elinor Carucci, Omir Goren, Marie Hudelot, Iddo Markus, Michal Pollack, Gideon Ruben and Julie Weitz.

Each of their art mediums will be presented by the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. The MMJCCM is a community-based nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for people to connect, grow, and learn in an ever-changing Jewish landscape. They have always been committed to serving the community by offering programs, classes, and events that span beyond neighborhood boundaries, reaching people at all stages of their lives.

This event will serve to further educate the public on the use of masks in historical Jewish culture. In an abstract way, the artists will capture the concept of the “masks” that Jews often wore to disguise their identity by changing their surname or physical appearance to avoid potentially deadly anti-Semitism. Additionally, this exhibit will showcase the use of masks in the Jewish celebration of Purim.

UNMASKED will open on March 17 with an opening party to celebrate Purim with a stilt walker and hamentashen from 6:30 p.m.

The exhibition will be held at the Laurie M. Tisch Gallery at MMJCCM, 334 Amsterdam Ave New York, NY 10023. UNMASKED is free and open to the general public with no reservations required.