Genesis (Mural for the House of Culture in Mangalia) 1962

Jules Perahim created this mural for the House of Culture in Mangalia. The work is made of tesserae, small tiles that are assembled to create a larger image. The mosaic technique, which dates back to antiquity, involves setting small pieces of material into a binder to create a design. The materials here seem like an interesting combination of stone and ceramic, each with its own inherent qualities of texture and color. Together, they form a surface that is both durable and visually striking, appropriate for a public building. Perahim's choice of mosaic is significant, it speaks to a skilled tradition of making and a desire to create art that is accessible and enduring, and to embrace labor to make the artwork. This contrasts with other approaches in fine art. The use of a traditional craft technique such as mosaic connects the mural to a broader history of creative practices and aesthetics. It integrates labor, politics, and consumption into our understanding of the artwork.