From kosher giraffes to family history: Hugo Max comes to JW3
Artist and filmmaker will present films, music and stories inspired by Jewish identity and his family’s wartime past
What do giraffes, Jewish identity and the Isle of Man have in common?
Artists and filmmaker Hugo Max will attempt to answer that question when he brings Kosher Giraffes & Other Tails to JW3 on 11 June.
The evening will combine short films, live music and conversation, drawing on Max’s exploration of family memory, migration and Jewish history.
The title comes from an old Jewish joke: “There’s an old Jewish joke that giraffe meat would be kosher, if only we knew where to cut the neck.”
At the heart of the event is Max’s Kosher Giraffe Trilogy, a project inspired by the story of his great-grandfather, who was interned on the Isle of Man as an “enemy alien” during the Second World War after fleeing Nazi persecution.
A spokesperson from the JW3 production team said: “As part of JW3’s ongoing commitment to supporting creative voices within the community, we are delighted to showcase emerging artist Hugo Max. A multidisciplinary artist, Hugo’s work explores family history and collective tradition, offering a distinctive and thought-provoking reflection on modern-day Jewish identity.
“In this special programme, Hugo will present a selection of his experimental films, accompanied by live, improvised viola. Offering insight into his creative process, this event provides a rare and intimate glimpse into the curious and compelling work of a rising talent from our community.”
Max, a British-Austrian artist, uses film, music and visual art to explore how family stories are passed down through generations and how fact, memory and imagination can overlap.
A graduate of Oxford University’s Ruskin School of Art, he has previously shown work at venues including BFI Southbank, the Prince Charles Cinema and the Austrian Filmmuseum.
Kosher Giraffes & Other Tails takes place at JW3 on Thursday, 11 June at 8pm.
For more information and tickets, click here.
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