I and I [antikvár]

Foreword "And I am like a closed book to my friends, And have become a totál stranger to them" These are the words in which Else Lasker-Schüler described herself: not really lonely, not friendless, but always a stranger. Her alienation was a matter of both fate and choice: fate - because as a Jewish poet, she was forced to abandon the world and culture that were her home when the Nazis rose to power. And choice - because in spite of the tendency of the creative process to build a bridge between the I and the Other, Lasker-Schüler maintained a closed circle that had no space in it for anyone but herself. The exhibition is an attempt to open yet another window to this world of strangeness and beauty. The drawings impart an additional dimension of color, line, and movement to the flgures who people Else Lasker-Schüler's poetry. The drawings of her son Paul - a brilliant draftsman whose early death left an indelible wound in her heart - show Lasker-Schüler through his eyes, and document in bold lines the denizens of the coffee houses where they passed their time, observing and drawing. Jerusalem, where she spent the fínal six years of her life, was for Else Lasker-Schüler a dream city rather than a flesh-and-blood reality. She roamed its streets like a foreigner - speaking Germán, writing in Germán, and creating in this Western language a splendid, mythical East. In Jerusalem she met Dr. Ticho, who attended to her. The closing scene of her play, Iandl, takes place under the sheltering pines of the Ticho garden. Preparing this exhibition was a gripping process of discovering Else Lasker-Schüler's complex personality and art, and I am deeply indebted to all those who helped introduce me to her world. Prof. Abraham Alsberg, who is in charge of Else Lasker-Schüler's bequest, generously allowed me to exhibit her works. Rafael Weiser, Director of the Department of Manuscripts and Archives at the Jewish National University Library in Jerusalem, and Shmuel Eden put their rich knowledge at my disposal. Trude Dothan, whose parents' house was like a home to Else, lent us two of the artist's works for the exhibition. Raya Rőtem enlightened me with her comments and Ruth Mittelmann was of great help throughout. The poet Yehuda Amichai translated a number of Else's poems especially for this catalogue. Cary and Dan Brouner assisted us with the publication of the catalogue, and the Israel Museum staff came up with helpful advice at all times. To all - my heartfelt thanks. Irit Salmon Curator of Ticho House $