Rivaling the greatest wooden architecture in history, the synagogues of 18^th century Poland inspired American artists Rick and Laura Brown to undertake a reconstruction. The last of these buildings were destroyed by German Nazis. Leading over 300 students and professionals from 16 countries, the Browns grapple not just with the echoes of World War II but also with warped timbers, tricky paints, and period hand tools. By the end of the project, the Browns have done more than reconstruct an object: they have recovered a lost world. Installed as a permanent exhibit in the new Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, the synagogue replica will be unveiled to the world on 28 October 2014 and is expected to get significant international attention.

With Handshouse Studio