Artist Information:
Michael Berkowitz
New York, NY
United States
Member Since: Feb 2008
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Artist Statement:
As an artist, I have long been interested in the universal power and necessity of religious ritual and its theatrical qualities. Until a few years ago, I was known as a sculptor and performance artist. Primarily, I created large scale “environmental installations” in which I performed “religious rituals” as performance art. For these, I decorated entire rooms with silk-screened wall-papers and hand-sewn flags; built and decorated armoire-sized “shrines” populated by figures in elaborate costumes. Garbed in one of my own creations, I was temporarily transformed into a kind of deity or shaman, mediating between the earthly and divine realms, embodying something greater than myself.
Viewers who entered into these sacred spaces of my creation, found themselves drawn into a mysterious ritual of no specific existing religion, bringing to it their own their emotions and personal histories. Often, visitors reported profound religious experiences.
Many of the costumes and items used in these performances are now in major museums and collections throughout the world. Most recently, one was purchased by the Jewish Museum in NYC and included in the book “Masterworks of the Jewish Museum”.
Five years ago, inspired by a book of 19th century erotic photographs, I ...
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Michael Berkowitz's Free Artist Portfolio
| Welcome to Michael Berkowitz's Portfolio. Browse Michael Berkowitz's body of work: As an artist, I have long been interested in the universal power and necessity of religious ritual and its theatrical qualities. Until a few years ago, I was known as a sculptor and performance artist. Primarily, I created large scale “environmental installations” in which I performed “religious rituals” as performance art. For these, I decorated entire rooms with silk-screened wall-papers and hand-sewn flags; built and decorated armoire-sized “shrines” populated by figures in elaborate costumes. Garbed in one of my own creations, I was temporarily transformed into a kind of deity or shaman, mediating between the earthly ... | |
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The Black Lace Blouse, 2006 Silver Gelatin Photograph, 6 x 6 inches Price: US$ 150 €: 95 UK £: 74 ¥en: 14898
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The Rare Specimen, 2008 Silver Gelatin Photograph, 7 x 8 inches Price: US$ 150 €: 95 UK £: 74 ¥en: 14898
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The Pearl Maiden, 2007 Silver Gelatin Photograph, 5 x 7 inches Price: US$ 150 €: 95 UK £: 74 ¥en: 14898
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The Pearl Crown, 2008 Silver Gelatin Photograph, 6 x 8 inches Price: US$ 150 €: 95 UK £: 74 ¥en: 14898
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The Pearl Crown, II, 2008 Silver Gelatin Photograph, 6 x 8 inches Price: US$ 150 €: 95 UK £: 74 ¥en: 14898
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The Velvet Robe, 2008 Silver Gelatin Photograph, 5 x 7 inches Price: US$ 150 €: 95 UK £: 74 ¥en: 14898
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