Question

What did broken glass in anselm kidders breaking of the vessels represent plz help fast

Answer 1

In Anselm Kiefer's artwork Breaking of the Vessels, the broken glass symbolizes both the mystical shattering of divine vessels and the historical tragedy of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, which marked a violent attack on Jewish communities by the Nazis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The installation Breaking of the Vessels by Anselm Kiefer is a powerful and complex work that integrates various symbolic elements. The broken glass in this artwork carries multiple layers of meaning. Primarily, it references the Jewish mystical concept of 'Shevirat HaKelim' (the shattering of the vessels), where divine light was too powerful to be contained and thus filled the world with both life and imperfections. Moreover, the broken glass evokes the historical events of Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, during which Nazis and their sympathizers ransacked and destroyed Jewish properties, symbolizing the shattered peace and security of Jewish communities in Nazi Germany.

In the context of Kiefer’s installation, piles of broken glass placed in front of the bookcase filled with lead books signify both a spiritual and historical devastation. The books, made of impenetrable lead, are meant to preserve Jewish culture and ancient mystical writings, while the glass signifies the fragility and destruction of that culture during the Holocaust. Kiefer used lead in his work as it carries the weight of human history, showcasing his perspective on the heavy burden of the past.

Answer 2

The piece "Breaking of the Vessels" was created by Anselm Kiefer in 1990. The overall structure looks like a bookcase, stuffed with papers from Jewish writers, Jewish history, and parts of the Torah. Glass is shattered on the floor, similar to events that happened to Jewish family homes during World War II.

Looking at your multiple choice answer options, it seems the artist had more purpose for the broken glass than just as a warning for viewers to keep away from the piece. There also does not appear to be a connection between sand and the bookshelf with paperwork. The glass shattered on the floor can be seen as representing the crushed dreams of Jewish people, however, Jewish history and writing would not be the reason that it was broken. The best answer choice would be the last one. The glass is representing any events in history that have held back Jewish culture (writing, religion, history), and they are breaking through the glass that has previously held them back.