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Pop CultureJewish History

The Grandchildren of Rube Goldberg in Conversation with David Katznelson

Jennifer and John George, Rube Goldberg’s grandchildren, in conversation with David Katznelson, share memories of growing up with the Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist and the legacy of a grandfather who has become a verb.

Presented in conjunction with The Art of Rube Goldberg, on view Mar 15–Jul 8, 2018 at The Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco.

Recorded on Mar 14, 2018.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Jennifer George
Legacy Director of Rube Goldberg Inc.

Jennifer George is the granddaughter of Rube Goldberg and the Legacy Director of Rube Goldberg Inc.
George has written several books related to (or inspired by) her grandfather including The Art of Rube Goldberg, the definitive work on the man and his art, and the best-selling illustrated children's book Rube Goldberg's Simple, Normal, Hum-Drum School Day. George is a contributing writer for the cartoon anthology of Rube Goldberg's Foolish Questions published by The Sunday Press and a Sunday Op-Ed Contributor to The New York Times. 

Since assuming the role of Legacy Director, Jennifer has grown the popularity and participation of the Rube Goldberg Machine Contests, which “present the perfect methodology to inspire young minds in STEM and STEAM curriculum.” 2018 marks the 30th Anniversary of the competitions which now include contests for students of all ages. 

George’s accomplished artistic career includes fashion design and jewelry, and piece of George's will soon be included in the Burning Man exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution, a distinction she'll be honored to share with her grandfather.

David Katznelson
Executive Director, Reboot

David Katznelson is the executive director of Reboot, and a Grammy-nominated music producer. In his 30+ years in the music industry, he worked in high school for Bill Graham Presents, as a college radio DJ, as vice president of A&R at Warner Bros., and as the head of the independent label group, The Birdman Recording Group, Inc. Most recently he has served as the Director of Strategic Change for the San Francisco Jewish Federation. Katznelson served as the chair of Reboot’s board of directors since 2012 and he is also one of the first members of the Reboot network, and has been an active member of the community from Reboot’s inception. He is a co-founder of two of Reboot’s most successful initiatives: The Idelsohn Society for Musical Preservation and the Dawn Festival, a Shavuot celebration in San Francisco.

about the exhibition

The Art of Rube Goldberg explores the career of Rube Goldberg (1883–1970), one of the most celebrated and influential cartoonists of all time. Marking the first comprehensive retrospective exhibition of Goldberg’s work since 1970, the exhibition brings together never-before-exhibited original drawings and preparatory sketches alongside rare photographs, films, letters, and memorabilia from the Goldberg family archives.

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supporters

Leadership Support for digital media at The Contemporary Jewish Museum is generously provided by the Jim Joseph Foundation.

The Art of Rube Goldberg was conceived by Creighton Michael; developed in cooperation with Heirs of Rube Goldberg, LLC, New York, New York; and curated by Max Weintraub. The tour was organized by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC. The Contemporary Jewish Museum of San Francisco’s presentation is presented on occasion of The CJM’s Tenth Anniversary in its Daniel Libeskind-designed building.

Lead sponsorship is provided by Gaia Fund, Maribelle and Stephen Leavitt, and Nellie and Max Levchin. Major sponsorship is provided by Dorothy R. Saxe. Patron Sponsorship is provided by Fred Levin and Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation, in memory of Ben and A. Jess Shenson; and Amy and Matt Berler. Supporting sponsorship is provided by David Agger; Riva and David Berelson, in memory of Gita and Henry Baigelman; Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery; Joyce B. Linker; and Marilyn and Murry Waldman. Additional support is provided by Ron and Barbara Kaufman and Scott Ullman.

The Contemporary Jewish Museum thanks the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts for its lead sponsorship of the Museum’s exhibition program.

Image Credit

Video by Laurie Lezin-Schmidt. Jennifer George bio photo by Gary Sexton Photography.