If you liked Academy Award nominated film “Marty Supreme,” or if you’re simply a ping-pong maven, the Jewish Museum of Maryland has an event for you!
On Sunday, March 29 at 1:30 p.m., the museum, located at 15 Lloyd St. in downtown Baltimore, will open “Open Court: Ping-Pong Pop-Up,” an experiential installation that combines elements of sport, film and Jewish culture.
Located in the museum’s Cohen-Weinberg Gallery, the installation features three table tennis tables, stadium risers and supergraphics by artist and designer Bruce Willen of Public Mechanics.
According to the museum, the “immersive installation transforms the gallery into an elevated ping-pong venue where visitors can watch and play in a visually dynamic environment. Dramatic table spotlights, scoreboards, customized ping-pong balls, and bold graphic wall treatments heighten the atmosphere, blending sport, design, and participatory culture into one cohesive experience.”
As referenced in “Marty Supreme,” ping-pong has a “deep, intergenerational history” for Jews. “Open Court draws from a legacy that spans backyard matches, youth groups, summer camps, and international competition. Across generations, ping-pong has functioned as more than recreation. It has been a form of gathering, rhythm, and connection. This installation brings that legacy into the present, elevating the familiar game into a contemporary cultural experience.”
Sunday’s opening will include appearances by local and national celebrities with JMM director Sol Davis faces off in a game of ping-pong against Museum of Jewish Heritage educator and actor Isaac Simon, aka Roger in “Marty Supreme.” Afterwards, the tables will be available for open play.
Throughout the installation’s run, visitors can drop in for a quick rally or schedule table tennis time for group play. The space will also be available for workplace team building sessions, after-school programs, or social/professional gatherings.
For more information, visit jewishmuseummd.org
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