According to Kandinsky, art, as an expression of the inner self, comes into existence for three reasons:
-Every creative artist gives expression to something that is his very own (the element of personality)
-Every artist mirrors something specific of his generation (the style of inner value which comprises the language of the generation and the nation)
-Every artist has something special to say, specific to art in general (the eternally pure element of art, independent of space and time).

Similarly, the artist Oritt Landau creates through her personal approach picturesque surfaces in a wide variety of glass consisting of small panels connected by strips of lead, filled in with colorful pieces of glass, mutually combined in harmony or in contrast (a technique that gained momentum in 12th century European cathedrals - its purpose being to evoke feelings of sanctity and spirituality through the use of light). The combination of glass (physical matter) and light (the spirit) generates visual drama in her creations that gives expression to her feelings. The work in general seems like a giant piano on which the tunes of Oritt Landau are played, a unique rhythm of content and shape concerning culture, tradition and society.

Her childhood milieu had a considerable influence on both her personality and creativity in crystallizing the essence of her artistic style. Bialik described these feelings: "In the midst of my childhood I was left alone and I strove all my life for hiding-places and silence, from the body of the world I yearned for its light, I was like an observer in its eye". As the source of her inspiration, Oritt Landau pays tribute to Jerusalem, its contrasts and symbols, colors, shapes and textures. Earthly and celestial Jerusalem, as opposed to here and now, are interwoven in her work like liturgical hymns in verses from the Scriptures. This metaphysical atmosphere is enriched by a further element - "the birds", an image representing the "ego", the yearnings of the creative artist, the process and the relentless search for expression "Through Glass".

As for the artistic language, in modern times the boundaries of representation in stained-glass, combined with contemporary approaches, have been extended, thanks to Chagall. His creations, such as "The Twelve Tribes of Israel" located in the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, are richly populated by images and the use of figures dating back to his childhood in the small Jewish "shtetl". As an artist leaning on the art and tradition of the past, there exists a dialogue with Chagall in her works on the subjects of composition and expressive symbolism. Yet her works are not decorative items to fill an opening in an architectural edifice, but rather unique creations that speak for themselves, bring sculptures to mind, exhilarating to the onlookers in spatial concept and artistic expression at the same time.

Oritt Landau will soon open a solo exhibition of her work, presenting her artistic creations in the Gerard Bechar Center, Jerusalem, in celebration of Jerusalem Day, by courtesy of the I.C.U. - International Cultural Union.

(Zvika Israel)