COHEN AND THE JEWISH MUSEUM
The unseasonably cold weather and days of rain have kept us inside and a bit lazy. More time for reading and the occasional museum. Last week we paid a visit to the Jewish Museum especially for the Leonard Cohen exhibit, “A Crack in Everything,” which an acquaintance recommended.
If you’re my generation, then mention of Cohen’s name immediately brings to mind his song, “Suzanne,” which was popular in my college years. Cohen died in 2016, and the exhibit, a collection of videos, recordings, and film clips, is both a memorial and a testament to his work. Individuals have collected his music and writings in tributes, and in a room of beanbags with bands of color cycling on the walls, you can flop down and listen to more than twenty of his songs. I had not appreciated how wide ranging and extensive Cohen’s oeuvre was and was impressed with what was on display.
While there we also wandered into the permanent collection where there are both traditional self-portraits as well as more jarring contemporary works.
One example is the rainbow flag of gay pride with a Star of David embedded in it by Ross Bleckner; another is William Anastasi’s “jew” off center on a white canvas; and yet another is “Venus Pareve,” a colorful series of small sculpture.
I also liked Louis Ribak’s “Self Portrait” from 1924.
DINING FIND
Sel et Poivre
This Upper East Side eatery has the feel of a comfortable shoe and seems to appeal to a neighborhood crowd. We were early for our reservation and it was already nearly full of diners. Wait staff are all male of a certain age (not young) and the greeting was pleasantly brisk. The 3-course prix fixe menu was reasonable at $34.95 with a nice selection of choices. The Chief Penguin ordered the green bean salad to start (best he’d ever had!) and then the steak frites. I tried the mesclun salad with a mustard vinaigrette (tangy in a good way) and the roasted chicken with mashed potatoes. Both entrees were very good and the desserts, profiteroles and raspberry sorbet, also. We liked the overall ambience and will definitely go back.
Note: All photos by JWFarrington. Header photo is “Self-Portrait” by Anna Walinska (1928).
Leonard Cohen is fantastic and I think Hallelujah is his best know song and covered by many many other artists.
Also, the song, A Street is one of my favorites including the lyrics:
“I know the burden’s heavy
As you wheel it through the night
Some people say it’s empty
But that don’t mean it’s light”
Enjoyed your review!!