Documentary on famous CT synagogue to screen at Eastern

Film's director will speak at the Sol LeWitt exhibition event

Willimantic, CT (10/16/2023) — The documentary film, "We Built This House," which explores the role of artist Sol LeWitt in the design of the Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek synagogue in Chester, CT, will be shown on Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. at the Student Center Theatre at Eastern Connecticut State University.

The film's producer and director, John Joslow, and Rabbi Marci N. Bellows will speak at the event about the significance of the project for art and faith.

The screening is part of an Eastern Art Gallery exhibit on view through Oct. 27, "Call Sol: The Enduring Legacy of Sol LeWitt."

Lewitt, a native of Hartford who died in 2007, was a pioneer of the minimalist and conceptual arts movements. He is known for wall drawings, usually executed by others, that challenge traditional ideas of what art is, who can make it and who can own it. The exhibit is a tribute to LeWitt and artists that he influenced.

The one-hour documentary, which debuted in 2015, explores the collaboration of LeWitt with architect Steve Lloyd on the synagogue. LeWitt was a lifelong member of the Chester congregation. The synagogue is the only public building designed by LeWitt. Lloyd translated LeWitt's vision into a post-and-beam structure.

The film screening is open to the public. The exhibition, on view at the Art Gallery in the Fine Arts Instructional Center, is open Wednesdays and Fridays, noon to 4 p.m.; Thursdays, noon to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.