A temporary art installation at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah encourages visitors to think about the cycle of renewal in our world by featuring worms.
A collaboration between the artist, B’nai Jehudah and Mitzvah Garden KC has resulted in artwork to appreciate the work of worms and their important role in the ecosystem.
Fayetteville, Arkansas-based artist Jean Schmitt created “Vermi/Forms v.1” for the B’nai Jehudah Community Commons. The installation consists of two containers of earthworms in soil and eight planters of barley, all arranged in a shape emulating that of a worm. The worms and the planters form a complete circular system — the worms tunnel their way through soil, eating organic matter and producing what is known as worm “tea,” a nutrient-rich liquid that improves soil health. That tea is poured into planters that are growing barley grass, which is then fed back to the worms.
“The conversations about this installation began with talking about Tu B’Shevat,” said Abby Magariel, educator/curator of the Michael Klein Collection at B’nai Jehudah. “Jean’s work with worms felt like a natural fit for our ‘birthday of the trees,’ and we started to imagine the ways that worms could take up a temporary residence at the Temple. The end result is beautiful and changes every day: as the barley grows, its greenery falls gracefully over the edges of the edges of the planters. The worms inside their containers evoke all sorts of emotions from people who see them — interest, disgust, caution, excitement — and everyone leaves with a new appreciation for the never-ending work that worms are doing.”
Schmitt’s installation at B’nai Jehudah is its first version; it may undergo changes before it appears in public again. Schmitt was excited at the chance to exhibit at a synagogue.
“Since I am not Jewish, I enter without baggage,” she said. “I get to learn the ways your religious community grapples with the worms and during this meaningful time of the calendar around regeneration and renewal. I also love that there is so much intergenerational life and activity in the space. This opportunity to learn from and engage with community is the best possible scenario.”
The installation is sponsored by The Michael Klein Collection. The public is invited to visit the installation at B’nai Jehudah through the end of February. After its conclusion, some of the worms will find a new home in the Mitzvah Garden, others at a nearby worm composting project at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
Also of note is how the worms are educating the next generation. During Yalla, B’nai Jehudah’s religious school, students learned how to make their own vermicomposting bins for use at home.
“This project represents a wonderful collaboration between The Klein Collection, B'nai Jehudah and Yalla, Village Shalom, and Mitzvah Garden KC,” said Ken Sonnenschein, Mitzvah Garden KC volunteer. “The soil of our community has been truly enriched by the 'worm residency' these past weeks and will continue to thrive and grow into the future thanks to this collaboration.”
