About the Exhibition

Backgammon as a work of art symbolizing the desire for peace and reconciliation between nations

By Ayelet Biran and Doron Polak
Curators and Exhibition Producers

The game of backgammon symbolizes the desire for reconciliation and understanding between opponents in two ways. The first is based on the principal of the game whose goal is to confront and move the participating pieces from one side of the board to the other. The second allows two sides to sit together and play against each other, to watch one another, and to develop a reciprocal relationship. Backgammon – more than a game where the purpose is to win – symbolizes a chance for a cultural and creative meeting, and time to open the heart, listed with patience and offer a possibility for reconciliation an understanding.

Researchers claim that backgammon is reminiscent of the ancient Egyptian game of Senet. However, it more than likely that the royal game of Ur, which was popular in Assyria and Mesopotamia, influenced the modern-day game of backgammon more than any other.Throughout the Roman Empire, the game of Ludus duodecim Scriptorum was played on a board with three lines, where the players moved the pieces according to the throw of dice. A similar game, Tabula (literally table or board) or Tabla, was popular within in boarders of the Byzantine Empire and is mentioned in historical documents such as those of the byzantine emperor Zeno. These two empires aided in the distribution of backgammon-like games throughout the Mediterranean and even to central Europe.

The oriental version of backgammon was called Nard or Nardshir, which means “wooden board”. It began to develop in ancient Persia and spread eastward with traders and messengers who fell in love with its simplicity and wisdom. The Chinese version was called Ts’hu-P’u. The Japanese played a similar game entitled Sugoroku. These games were played with two dice, while Tabula was played with three. With time, the eastern Asian version became the most popular.

Despite limitations and laws against gambling, backgammon gained popularity across Europe. Each region had its own version but the rules and structure were similar. In Greece, Tavli was popular, in England – backgammon, Turkey – Tavlo and in France – Tric-Trac. The “duplication’ die was introduced in the 1920’s. It became popular in the United States, in New York, and was probably invented by a marketer who wanted to increase the element of skill while decreasing the element of luck within the game.

Backgammon is a board game for two players. Although play is determined by the throw of dice, it is not purely a game of chance, but one of strategy and decision making based on the ability of the player. A board from 3000 BC was found in the ancient city of Ur indicating that it was played far back in history. The 14^th century British poet Geoffrey Chaucer mentioned the game in one of his poems.

The board is divided into 24 triangles – places where one can position his pieces. Each player has 15 black or white pieces, placed in a certain way at the beginning of the game. Each player roles the dice and moves his pieces towards the end of his part of the board (the “base”) where he can then take them out. The first to take out all his pieces is declared the winner.

The reconciliation exhibition presents 60 creations where backgammon boards have been turned into artistic objects dealing with the meaning of reconciliation as a starting point for the process of understanding and patience towards fellow man. Many of the artists chose to deal with universal and social aspects in order to clarify their intentions. Since the exhibition was opened in Washington DC through the initiative of the Israeli Embassy in honor of the 60^th anniversary of the State of Israel – most of the participants chose to include photographs and paintings of local leaders and motifs connected to Middle-Eastern culture. Others chose to deal with the Jewish side and the past of the Jewish people. Most of the works show interest in quiet and serenity between nations.

The exhibition of artistic backgammon boards presents a fascinating cross-section of present-day Israeli artists and is constructed as a “suitcase exhibition” designed especially for mobility. Each box contains additional photographs and material about the artists and their creation and in fact, the backgammon box acts as a “pocket exhibition” for each artist. May the prayers of the artists for peace come true and this sign of reconciliation will prophesize peace and tranquility among all nations worldwide.