AL Monitor (gotta love that name!) recently ran a story on a Jerusalem-based artist, Eitam Tubul who has been creating and posting amulets for protection for common modern day problems. I do love the way one is able to activate these amulets! The article starts:
“Jerusalem has known many masters and many faiths in its 3,000-year history, but one thing has remained a cultural constant: amulets against evil spirits. The modern city abounds with beads, pendants, pictures, strings, jewelry and a wide assortment of talismans — a custom that is shared by Jews, Muslims and Christians alike.
“One Israeli artist is tapping into this millennia-old tradition and adapting it for Jerusalem’s 21st-century streets. In homage to this deep-rooted tradition, Jerusalemite artist Eitam Tubul launched the light-hearted ‘Amulet Authority,’ an art project that has produced a variety of intricate plaques designed to thwart modern misfortunes.
“Tubul said that instead of competing with traditional amulets, he struck on the notion of mystical remedies for the “very prosaic” problems of modern life. His plaques offer protection against everyday misfortunes such as hangovers, awkward silences and meter maids, or act as good luck charms for finding free Wi-Fi, long cell phone battery life or balanced air-conditioning in the office…
“’To use the amulet, photograph it and save it as a picture on the telephone in your pocket,’ the plaques instruct passersby. ”
Thanks to Brother Patrick for the tip!
