An artist who brings an exhibit of art that depicts Jewish ritual garments -- tallit katans -- in a variety of materials, including marbleized silk, comics, dollar bills, stainless steel, Astroturf, woven wire, X-ray film and copper sheeting, will present a public lecture Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m. in 317 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall on the Cornell University campus.

Artist Bob Gottlieb will address the topic "Does God Care if I Make it out of Comix?" His new exhibit was inspired by his search for his Jewish roots and his purchase of a tallit katan during a sabbatical spent in Israel. Upon his return, Gottlieb of Bar Harbor, Maine, and a graphic designer by training, began to create the series of tallit katan. The project brought him into contact with artisans who work with many different materials and gave him a new perspective on art and spirituality.

The official opening of the exhibition will follow the lecture. The exhibition will be in the Martha Van Rensselaer Gallery on the first floor of the building from Oct. 6 through 17 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Fridays).

Gottlieb's visit is sponsored by the Cornell Council for the Arts, the Department of Textiles and Apparel, the Jewish Studies Program and Hillel. The artist welcomes the opportunity to interact with other groups on campus from Oct. 6-9. Those wishing to meet with him should contact Professor Susan Watkins, Department of Textiles and Apparel, at 255-1930.