Read on for a TFS Subscriber’s Experience at this fun exhibit
A temporary exhibit, Exodus Steps, provides a clever way to explore the familiar tale of the Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land, the story remembered each year during Passover. Instead of sitting around the table and telling the story at a Sedar — — or in addition to it! — kids can run around the campus of the Skirball Cultural Cener following brightly colored vinyl footprints, handprints, dialogue bubbles, and artwork that allows them to enact the story. Fun for everyone – and bringing a grown up along is advised, for there is a little bit of figuring out to do! Exodus Steps, an installation-based performance piece by internationally acclaimed British theater company Stan’s Cafe, is FREE, and ongoing through 4/28.
TFS Subscriber Stephanie McNairy’s Experience at the Exhibit:
It’s an old story– and you probably already know how it ends. A baby in a basket floats down a river and grows up to lead thousands of slaves to freedom by crossing a giant sea on dry ground. The ancient scriptural account of Moses has been retold and reinterpreted by countless playwrights, folk singers and moviemakers. It is also the subject of Exodus Steps, a new installation piece by Stan’s Cafe (pronounced caff) at the Skirball Cultural Center. But this is not your nana’s Moses!
In a refreshingly new take on an old classic, Exodus Steps delights adults and children alike with its witty banter, clever set design and hidden symbols discernible to only the most astute visitor. And by visitor I also mean actor because Exodus Steps is a theater production starring — you!
How it works: trails of various colored vinyl footprints traverse the Skirball inside and out accompanied by text bubbles and a few other necessary (though minimalist) images. Each footprint color represents a different character in the story. As you follow the footprints (and a few handprints, too) the story unfolds. Be sure to grab the outline at the ticket desk because it summarizes each scene and decodes the character colors.
The past and present cleverly collide for Skirball visitors (or should I say actors?) as they symbolically make their way from Egypt to the Red Sea to Sinai. We loved the eye spy element in which Passover symbols are hidden in each scene. Exodus Steps skillfully utilizes the Skirball building and grounds as theater set. Our favorite scene was that of Moses and his people crossing the sea which occurs at the Skirball’s Rainbow Arbor, an outdoor wall that continuously sprays a fine mist of water and casts a natural rainbow in the mist. The kids squealed with delight as they ran through the mist. Even the great Cecil B. DeMille could only show you the water — at the Skirball you can feel it.
Exodus Steps is a cultural adventure made more enjoyable with kids in tow. Children seem naturally drawn to contemporary art like Exodus Steps — always a good reminder to adults to lighten up and enjoy it!
