Jewish Museum Celebrates Grand Opening

Monday, 09 June 2008 01:43

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The new 63,000-square-foot, Daniel Libeskind-designed Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM), in San Francisco's Yerba Buena cultural district celebrated its Grand Opening on Sunday, June 8, 2008. The ribbon cutting ceremony began at 10 AM, followed by a full day of activities for all ages. Visitors enjoyed admission-free access to the Museum from 11 AM - 5:30 PM.

Daniel Libeskind's design is an adaptive reuse of the landmark 1907 Jessie Street Power Substation. Preserving the character-defining features of the substation, the new design introduces bold contemporary spaces dedicated to galleries, performances, and education programs. The new CJM building embodies the Museum's mission to be a lively center for engaging audiences of all ages and backgrounds with Jewish culture and it greatly increases the Museum's space for exhibitions and innovative programs in visual, performing, and media arts.

Founded in 1984, the CJM has established a history of presenting exhibitions and education programs that explore contemporary perspectives on Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas. Embracing a range of disciplines and media, the CJM's new enhanced exhibition program will include contemporary art projects, historic objects, film and music, scholarly interpretations, and diverse cultural perspectives that offer new entry points to experiencing Jewish culture. At the heart of the new facility is a large education center, which will allow the Museum to provide ongoing education programs in conjunction with its exhibitions for children, youth, adults, and seniors.

Under the creative direction of architect Daniel Libeskind, the CJM’s new home revives the long-abandoned Jessie Street Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Power Substation building and reflects the Museum’s programmatic vision. Designed by Willis Polk in 1907, the substation played a key role in restoring energy to San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. Characteristic of Mr. Libeskind’s designs for his building commissions, the structural addition to the original substation is resonant with symbolism. Inspired by the Hebrew phrase "L'Chaim" (To Life), the architect based the extension’s conceptual organizing principles on the two symbolic Hebrew letters of “chai,” the “chet” and the “yud”.

In partnership with San Francisco-based WRNS Architects, Libeskind created a dynamic contemporary design intimately connected to the museum-going experience. In addition, the historic conservation of a landmark San Francisco building, which will be accessible to the public for the first time in its more than 100-year history, is meant to be a symbol of the revitalization of both the Yerba Buena district and Jewish tradition and culture.

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