Library News
Tuesday, April 2, 2025
An Evening of Art and Story: Frank Stella’s Had Gadya in Conversation
Experience an evening of art, storytelling, and conversation at the University of Denver Libraries in collaboration with the Center for Judaic Studies as we explore Frank Stella’s Had Gadya series, a bold and dynamic interpretation of the classic Jewish song. Enjoy beer, wine, signature mocktails, and heavy appetizers while engaging with leading experts on modern art and Jewish narrative.
The Art and Its Meaning
Frank Stella is an influential American artist of the 20th century, known for redefining abstraction with movement, structure, and color. In his Had Gadya series, he transforms a centuries-old Passover song into a vivid, multi-layered visual story. The song itself, a cumulative tale of destruction and redemption, has resonated across generations, and Stella’s interpretation adds a contemporary depth that challenges how we see tradition, faith, and renewal.
The Panel Discussion
At 6:30 PM, a discussion with two distinguished scholars will delve into Stella’s impact on modern art, the cultural weight of Had Gadya, and what it means for a major contemporary artist to illustrate this powerful narrative:
- Dr. Adam Rovner, Professor of English & Jewish Literature, University of Denver Center for Judaic Studies
- Dean Sobel, Professor of the Practice of Art History and Museum Studies, and founding director of the Clyfford Still Museum
Together, they will examine how Stella’s work bridges abstraction and storytelling, and why his interpretation of Had Gadya remains a significant and thought-provoking series.
For more information, visit: https://library.du.edu/content/evening-art-and-story-frank-stellas-had-gadya-conversation
RSVP here: https://udenver.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cNETsKSSNn1qhDw
- 6:00 - 8:00 P.M.
- Anderson Academic Commons, Room 290