The politically provocative historical and contemporary images and texts are an ensemble of photographs, video, neon signs, newspaper cuttings and other material, collated together by the artist Tanya Ury in Germany and Mallorca over a period of six years. The title ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ refers to Jacob of the Old Testament.

“He dreamt that he saw a ladder, which rested on the ground with its top reaching to heaven, and angels of God were going up an down it.” New English Bible, Genesis 28 (12)

Twenty years later Jacob again had a vision; this time he wrestled with an angel.

“The man said, 'Let me go for day is breaking'”, but Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.' New English Bible Genesis 31 (26)

Jacob's biblical fight with the angel and the ladder to heaven, are the original sources of inspiration for the various art works contained within the exhibition.

The finissage to Tanya Ury's exhibition Jacob’s Ladder first presented in the Hochbunker Cologne-Ehrenfeld (D), occurred on 09.11.2002, the anniversary of Reichskristallnacht. The bunker was built on the site of a synagogue, which had been destroyed on Reichskristallnacht, 1938.

Tanya Ury

Roman Svastika

Tantric Snakes and Ladders

Jacob’s Ladder - a Cybersexual Parable

Franco and Elke J.

Fashion Victim

Barbie and Klaus

Jacob’s Ladder

Swastikas and Stars

wrestlewithyourangel

neonazi

Blind Spot

Red Hot Pokers

Transcending the Ladder