Disabled, but not without abilities

The scene: a coffee shop. The actors: teens living with muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. The plot: poking fun at how the able-bodied treat those who are not. With their new play "Please Be Seated", these spirited youngsters prove that not being able-bodied is anything but disabled.

Beit HaGalgalim, or House of Wheels, is a non-profit devoted to the rehabilitation and support of special needs youth. With 5 centers across Israel offering services to over 350 children, the organization gives these youth an opportunity to participate in activities that the might not usually get a chance to join in on, like kayaking and camping trips. One of their goals is to create an accessible culture- a culture that embraces those living with special needs, both physically and emotionally.

The play is performed entirely by youth living with special needs, and is intended to communicate to the audience that they are capable of creating, thinking, and speaking for themselves- and can have a sense of humor about the whole situation. The idea of putting on a play had been gelling around for several years now, and finally came to fruition with the "Please Be Seated" production. The act of creating and acting in this play is an empowering experience for many of the performers, who have both literally and figuratively found their voice on stage.

Modern Romance

Born and raised in Israel, Iris Braunstein Shemesh grew up surrounded by beautiful nature and a rich mosaic of cultures. She fuses these influences together when creating her unique jewelry pieces for Iris Design . Her dynamic jewelry reflects her passion for color, pattern, and the great outdoors. Bright florals, jungle animal prints, birds prints and angels combine to make these pieces pop! You are sure to get noticed with these romantic but modern designs.



Her design process is meticulous and precise. Iris starts with a resin base, which she favors because it is a lightweight material. She achieves a textured, three-dimensional look by combining rich fabrics, glistening silk paper, and decorative threads. Her charming hand-painted touches give each piece a personalized touch. Each piece is finished with a glossy coating of enamel and set with crystal to give it a lovely sparkle!



In addition to her jewelry designs, Iris also creates unusual and sweet gifts, like this Hamsa (good fortune charm) for the little princess!

We Are Made One with What We Touch and See

We are resolved into the supreme air,
We are made one with what we touch and see,
With our heart's blood each crimson sun is fair,
With our young lives each spring impassioned tree
Flames into green, the wildest beasts that range
The moor our kinsmen are, all life is one, and all is change.

-Oscar Wilde

Glee!

Are you a Gleek? The song-and-dance show Glee has caught on like wildfire, with a ton of fans all over the globe. The Glee fever has spread to Israel, and a flash mob broke out in Dizengoff Mall (Tel Aviv) to promote the show.

Vivacious Viognier

Beautiful wines are one of Israel's many bountiful products. The Carmel and Galil region are dotted with picturesque vineyards that make for lovely day trips (complete with a delicious tasting session at the end!). Israel used to best known for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Emerald Riesling, but it looks like there's a new kid on the block- the elusive and exclusive Viognier.

Viognier is somewhat of a pretty princess among grapes: its finicky and hard to grow, and actually almost became extinct about two decades ago. Thanks to some cloning changes that have made it a more reliable and sturdy strain,it is now making a comeback, much to the delight of wine connoisseurs everywhere. Recent successes with this white grape have shown that it may be particularly suited to Israel's hot and humid climate.

This well-rounded white wine has a unique aroma, fragrant with fruity notes such as pear and peaches. Some even notice a background touch of honeysuckle, making this unusual wine the perfect treat on a warm summers day. Only a few select wineries are producing Viognier, but should you manage to find this rare wine it will surely be worth it. Cheers!

Winter is finally here!

We can't beleive that winter is finally here!



The poetry of earth is never dead! ~ John Keats

Pictures taken by Almog Halili, on December 11th 2010.

Project Palozzo

With its mix of striking architectural styles and general state of slight dilapidation, the city of Tel Aviv is the perfect canvas for street artists. There's one artist who leaves his signature eggplant sketches on wall corners, and another who brightens up the pavement with his smiling daisies. From small tags to professionally rendered murals spanning entire building sides, street art is definitely a part of Tel Aviv's art scene.

Typically of course, street art is done outside- abandoned buildings, the sides of bus stops, and those retro air conditioner boxes all make for great impromptu art spaces. Street art mixes the high (precise artistic skills) and the low (cheap materials and a low budget gallery space) to make for an interactive and dynamic art form. Street art is spontaneous and of the people, it grabs you as go about your day instead of being tucked away safe behind museum walls. But what would happen if we moved art off the streets and back indoors...

Remember when your mom told you not to draw on the walls? Well a new indoor street art project, Project Palozzo is doing just that with, and producing awesomely creative results. Two illustrators (Zach Cohen and Ori Toor) and a sociology major (Yoav Tamir) are living together in a dilapidated house in Tel Aviv and turning it into a collaborative ongoing art project. According to their sassy little Tumblr, which they frequently update with photographs of their latest creations, the house was built by Yoav's grandfather but was uninhabited for quite a while and fell into a state of disrepair. Now these three are putting their combined skills together, transforming their space by painting, writing and drawing on the walls of their renovation project cum gallery. I wonder what their moms have to say about all this?

Project palazzo - Wall drawing timelapse from ori toor on Vimeo.

Haifa Haifa

As many of you may have read, the north of Israel has suffered from a serious forest fire, the likes of which have never before been seen in Israel.

The devastation is wide reaching and the loss of these precious forests will be felt for generations to come.

The fires that broke out suddenly in the Galilee spread rapidly and have destroyed 20% of the trees in the national forest.

Haifa, the largest city in the north, is a beautifully green area that slopes gently down into the Mediterranean. Many songs have been composed and sung in its honor, including this song sung by the Israeli Army Band.



If you or someone you know would like to contribute to the rehabilitation effort for the Carmel region, you can click here for a list of organizations.

Last night of "the Festival of Lights"

Happy Hanukkah everybody!
As the sun goes down the streets are filled with warm light spread from every Hanukkiya placed on the front of every house window. I wish these pictures will transfer the unique feeling in the streets of Israel, these past 8 days of Hanukkah - "The Festival of Lights"
Chag Sameach!
From Eastory - Gifts. Stories. People.

LesBeat

Inexplicably, Israelis LOVE cover bands. Some are ok, some are woefully terrible, and a surprisingly large amount are a knee-slappin, toe-tappin good time.

Introducing the LesBeat Beatles cover band, an oddly named but nonetheless very enjoyable band who knows how to get the crowd groovin.

In case you live in Tel Aviv and see this post in time, they are performing tonight at the Radio bar.

Enjoy!

Jamaica – Jerusalem

"Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir,
So that every mouth can be fed.
Poor me, the Israelite."

Why in the world would a Jamaican ska/reggae musician refer to the "Israelites" in his song? Because Demand Dekker was a Jamaican ska/reggae artist who was influenced by the popular Rastafarian spiritual movement spread out in his homeland which has a deep-rooted connection with Judaism. The roots of Rasta/Jewish mix begin all the way back to that steamy affair between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba with a strange blend of Jewish flavor creeping into the spiritual history of Ethiopia, turning up subtly in 20^th century Rastafarian lifestyle, and then inevitably in reggae music.

Yes. There are historical, iconographical and spiritual parallels that provide credence to the weird cocktail between Judaism and Rastafari. From a historical perspective it is told that Menelik, Solomon’s only son with Queen Sheba, stole the Ark of the Covenant from the temple in Jerusalem and carried it to Ethiopia where some suggest it still remains. Over 2000 years later, Rastafarians appear in Jamaica as adherents of Hailie Salsie who see him as the 2^nd coming of Christ. To make a long story short, Rastas begin to refer to Jewish historical concepts in their liturgy, songs and prayer. Reference to Zion and Promise Land, Exodus are everywhere in the Rasta world.

The term most commonly noted with Rasta is "Zion". For Jews Zion most often refers to Jerusalem and, by extension, the Biblical land of Israel. The word is found in texts dating back almost three millennia. It commonly referred to a specific mountain near Jerusalem (Mount Zion), on which stood the Jebusite fortress of the same name that was conquered by David and was later named the City of David.

For Rastafarians, Zion is to be found in Africa, and more specifically in Ethiopia, where the term is also in use. Some Rasta believe themselves to represent the real Children of Israel in modern times, and their goal is to repatriate to Africa, or to Zion. Rasta reggae is full of references to Zion; among the best-known examples are the Bob Marley songs '"Zion Train," "Iron Lion Zion", the Bunny Wailer song "Rastaman" ("The Rasta come from Zion, Rastaman a Lion!"), The Abyssinians' "Forward Unto Zion" and Kiddus I's "Graduation In Zion," and much more.

Rastafarians see themselves as the Jewish slaves of the modern era, longing for the promised land. Just like Jews who yarned for their homeland, so do Rasa's want to be set free to return to Africa. Again this theme appears in Rasta culture and mainly in Reggae songs such as Bob Marley, "Exdous" or "Promise Land" by Aswad.

Jewish symbols and icons can also be seen throughout the Rasa world. The Star of David is the etymological symbol of the Jewish people pops-up all over the Rasta world. The lion of Judah, Rastas most prominent symbol depicting the great Haili Salsie, appears everywhere in liturgy, culture, in icons and symbols.

Jewish dietary laws parallel those of Rastas. Like Jews who adhere to Kashrut, Rastafarians follow their own dietary regulations. Their version of Kashrut, know as I-Tal rejects pork and shellfish as does Kashrut. The common denominator to I-Tal and Kashrut is theold testament.

Rastafarianism is considered a religion, but it can be also regarded as a lifestyle. This is very similar to Judaism in its bureaucratic ordinates and lifestyle guidelines. Jamaican Rasta has adopted many old testaments rules and dubbed them into their own faith. Commandments such as Leviticus 21:5 that clearly outline the regulations regarding hair are the logic to dreadlocks and unshaven beards. Rasta woman are required to dress modesty includes wearing long sleeve and long skirts and non-revealing attire.

In Israel the strange historical connection to Rastafarians exists with the Ethiopiaan Coptic Curch. Hiding in a subtle corner of the Church of the holy selpechure, in a back alley entranch is the Ethiopian Coptic Church. Ethiopian Copts are a strange patchwork in the grand Christian complex. On aged pealing walls, one can find the great King Solomon – Sheba affair frescoed subtly and the roots of Rastafarian – Jewish connection.

In day-to-day Israel, Rasta and Reggae can be found on posters, buttons and clothing of Israeli youth. Freaky teenagers emulate their Jamaican brethren with their dreadlock look. But more so, we find Rasta vibes in excellent Israeli reggae music; local bands such as Hatikva 6, Dag Nahash churn excellent Jamaican rhythm with a spice of the middle east.

While Rastafarians have chosen Judaism, it appears that Israelis have also chosen Rastas too.

author: Yossi Geller

A brighter future

Despite being the Festival of Lights, Hannukah always seemed to pale a little in comparison to its cousins, the glorious Biblically mandated holidays. With jelly-donuts and a stirring tale of the hard-fought battle against the Syrian Greek army and fellow non-observant Jews, Hannukah’s historical stance against assimilation seemed a little tired, a little out of date. Passover brings with it a complex feast of ancient recipes (matzah is totally B.C.E.) to commemorate the Jews dramatic escape from slavery, while Sukkot offers outdoor camping in a tabernacle to remind observers of the 40-year desert trek. Likewise, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are equally dramatic with long synagogue sermons and accompanying feast followed by fast. The themes of these sensational holidays are always made clear by a reading of their Biblical roots; one should either remember one’s devotion to God, devotion to religion, or be thankful for the nation’s ancient escape from a dangerous situation.

But assimilation? Epic battles excite, tiring desert treks move one to sympathy, but assimilation does not really stir in me the same in of emotions. The Jews of the Hannukah story were divided between an observant lifestyle and a Hellenistic one, the Hellenistic one winning out as it was generally considered to be more fun. Yet thousands of years after in the age of the individual, it can be a struggle to connect with this tale of secular versus religious. How can this historical battle over faith and assimilation become a tale for the modern ages?

In this epic story of both personal and national struggle, Hannukah reveals itself to be a story about perseverance and the power of faith. Whether its B.C.E. or 2010, Jewish freedom fighters or just your every-day Joe, sometimes we all fall into darkness. We lose our way, stray from our goals, let our dreams fall by the wayside in pursuit of the easier, more Hellenistic life. The Maccabis and their seemingly hopeless band of fighters inspire the contemporary man to keep fighting the good fight, the fight for a brighter future. If you believe in something passionately, let nothing stand in your way, not even obstacles of Syrian-Greek army proportions. It doesn’t matter if the odds are against you- the world is your oyster (or rather, some kosher and similarly analogical animal, none of which come to mind). When you find something that lights you up, make sure you keep it burning forever. So on this Hannukah, we at Eastory extended our greetings for a brighter future.

musical scenesters: Israeli ladyyy bands HaBanot Nechama + Karolina (my love)

Habanot Nechama, a charming folk trio of Israeli female singers, were formed in 2004. Yael, Karolina and Dana met in a local Tel Aviv designer's boutique and started up this musical trio soon after. They exploded onto the scene with their self-titled debut album in 2007. With lovely layered melodies and poetic lyrics, their musical appeal was broad enough to sell to indie hipsters and coffee shops alike.




This album has a reggae-soul- folk vibe that you don't often find from Israeli performers. Their track So Far was one of my favorites on their debut album as well as being hit with the coffee shop crowd- the English lyrics are not the strongest (I generally frown on any song that mentions rainbows) but the Hebrew lyrics are satisfyingly romantic and soulful.


While I have only good things to say about their debut album, I must admit I always had a soft spot for Karolina. I mean really- that afro should make it all clear. I truly feel that singers with afros are to be trusted intrinsically. Learning that she performed with (goddess, queen etc) Lauryn Hill on her recent tour has only deepened my love.









Karolina recently had a concert in Tel Aviv at the venue Barbie, which I tragically missed. The silver lining to this dark musical cloud is that a friend bought her Cd, which is now the soundtrack to my city bike rides (also: new bike! its mint green with a puppy-safe basket, and now I am unstoppable). So here is some Karolina for you and remember- always trust the afro.

it's like Xmas/Hannukah come early- Israeli jewelers Orly and Nitza

I love these designers! I love goldsmithing, and shiny things, and jewelry, and art, and these two talented jewelers are doing everything at once. And, for better or for worse, I live right next to their boutique in Basel Square. This could be dangerous...

Both these designers bring their backgrounds to their aesthetic approach. Orly was raised in Africa, where she fell in love with the locally-crafted, brightly hued beads. Now she fashions her own pieces after this style, with intense colors and often traditional materials. Nitza, a graduate of the New York Fashion Institute of Technology, has worked for over 12 years in design and brings her background of goldsmithing with precious metals and stones to the table.

Look how pretty!



They also make them in silver and black leather, which I heart only slightly less as they do not satisfy my magpie-like desire for all things golden.




Hannukah is coming up around the river bend, and its almost time for gift shopping (I always find this a great excuse for any impluse buys up to three months prior to the holiday season). So go ahead and milk it!

Sukkah Art. also: from the dinosaur to the turkey, an evolutionary tale

Ok bear with me here. Yes, I did find these decorating ideas on a blog meant for mothers. Yes, these are arts and crafts ideas meant for young children, or perhaps anyone with poor motor skills. BUT- you can't tell me you don't love a good finger painting project. I mean really, don't even try to dispute that this was the best part of kindergarten through grade 4. Actually, come to think of it, why did we ever get rid of finger painting? Escandalo.

Anyway, another reason why these are excellent is because they are kind of like Thanksgiving decorations. Which, even though I grew up in Canada, where Thanksgiving is at the "wrong" time of the year (October), and actually commemorates the giving of thanks as opposed to manslaughter through smallpox, I am still into those hand print turkey decorations. They are so clever! and entertaining! Who would have known that your palm=turkey? Also, did you know that turkeys are direct descendants of dinosaurs? It's true, I saw it on the National Geographic channel. And TV never lies. Remember that children.

finger painting 4 lyfe

Look Ma! No hands

Aaaaaaaaaanyways, these projects look like fun, and they are pretty, plus require almost no motor skills to put them together. So there you have it- easy mitzvah points for us all. Happy holidays!

post script: special thanks to the blog 'Kosher on a Budget' for these holiday tips

ars in tractus

spotted: wall mural in Jerusalem


it could have been twee but I think its location (it is in an observant neighborhood better known for babies and religious schools than artistic touches) saves it, and instead it is charming and unexpected street art

also, I love street art that has an element of audience interaction... in this particular neighborhood (well all over Jerusalem really) people come to observe the old style architecture and particular religious lifestyle, so there is a lot of standing around and picture taking

this sassy lass catches you in the act and gives it right back to you.

sass+art= double win

audio art: eviatar banai

The Banai artists are a veritable clan of artistic force, a pack of crazy talented musicians with distinct voices and styles. I love them all, but I recently saw Eviatar in concert and he stole my heart. Really he just stole it all in one fell swoop- got up there on that unassuming kibbutz stage and KILLED it, stole my breath away and stole the show.

I was literally mesmerized by him. His voice seemed to capture all the space around him, and for a solid hour there was only EVIATAR, crooning his heartbreaking, slightly sinister lyrics. I haven't seen an artist who seemed to grab the very air around them like that since I saw Regina Spektor silence a room of rowdy Russian fans with an acapella version of 'Poor Little Rich Boy'. With his inspirational tale of spiritual redemption (former, maybe current pothead who found God and is now religious) and complex lyrical compositions, he cuts a fascinating figure in the Israeli music scene.

we wish you a merry yom kippur and a happy new year

First official email from Programma Magazine! No party invites just yet, but these well wishes will do just fine.

Happy New Year to one and all. Whether you are doing the whole sit-down dinner shpeil or just having a bbq (Mom stop looking at me like that- I literally could not FATHOM trying to clean my kitchen at this point), may your dinner be delicious, may your friends be witty, and your New Year as sweet as as a double stuffed oreo dipped in white chocolate

international women's film festival, rechovot

Summertime in Israel brings a slew of film festivals along with the sizzling heat. As I missed out on both the LGBT film festival and the Jerusalem film festival due to other, less exciting engagements, I thrilled at the prospect of attending the International Women’s Film Festival In Rechovot. Having fully developed my Tel Aviv snark in the last year, I was loathe to leave my northern neighborhood, but my fellow cinema-lovers prevailed upon me with promises of adventure. So, off I went to the train, journeying to the edge of civilization- Rechovot suburbia.

Before we delve into the films, I wanted to take a short break to address Marina Abromovic’s stunning self-portrait that graced the festival’s homepage. The image is at once bold, bringing up childhood images of a gallant prince on his white steed, but also humbling- is she holding a white flag for surrender? I could not figure out exactly how Abromivic was connected to the festival (Google had no answers and neither did the Hebrew version of the site). I wished upon a star to casually bump into her in the popcorn line but alas, twas not to be…

But back to the cinematic arts- with such a wide variety of films from both Israeli artists and international directors to pick from, I struggled to narrow it down to just one. My final toss up was between an Israeli film, Black Bus, and the Holland-based Polish director Urszula Antoniak's Nothing Personal. The topic of women’s life in the Haredi (ultra-religious) community is a heated one- Haredim are proud of their heritage and intensely private about their community secrets. The trailer indicated that it was going to be an emotional ride through these women’s turbulent personal lives, and I wasn’t too sure I could tackle the subject matter at the end of my train trek.

I opted for Nothing Personal, a lovely, subtle film that was artfully shot. The films tells the story of a mysterious loner who stumbles upon a kindred spirit and their ensuing unlikely relationship. Each scene resembled a watercolor painting, rendered in soft and blurred hues. So many of the scenes could have been distilled to a still life photograph, so precise was the composition and the lighting.

watercolors drip
hillsides lush with rain. alone.
still life; life is still

ars in tractus

golda meir stencil
keren hateimanim
tel aviv


"don't be humble... you're not that great."

-golda


you heard it here first kids. now behave yourselves.

haifa haifa ir amiti

Street art inspires a lot of “kids these days, get off my lawn ARGH” commentary but its getting harder to deny that contemporary art is moving out of hallowed museum halls and into the streets. With the international spray-painting rogue Banksy on the loose, and Louis Vuitton incorporating graffiti into their designs, it cant be long until a local art gang comes to a neighborhood near you. At once subversive and mainstream, commercial and of the people, street art is changing our space bit by bit.

The Haifa-grown group Broken Fingaz are taking a hands on approach to the Arts, capital A intentional. Not interested in thinking inside the box, this ragtag group of Israeli street artists have their fingaz in all sorts of cookie jars- music, street art, and fashion. Their home base is Masada Street*, where they have a nook of a store stocked with original print T’s, little stuffed monsters, and killer kicks.

Broken Fingaz intense designs are disturbing and fantastically beautiful. Rendered in exacting detail, their layered imagery is a mosh pit of cultural references and painting styles. Of course, their artwork is not limited to the medium of paint- I also saw an awesome tape installation on the Carmel subway stairs. If you stopped in your downward rush toward the train and looked upwards, a meticulously applied pattern of scotch strips revealed a reclining older gentleman, puffing away on his pipe. As well as all these visual art shenanigans, they are also involved in organizing concerts at the local underground venue City Hall. This venue is conveniently located right next to Wadi Nisnas, a old Arab neighborhood which is basically an open air art gallery.

an ode:
band of painting rogues
splash create deconstruct build
transmute space- art alters

*note to the intrepid wanderer: should hunger strike you on your path, stop for sustenance at Puzzle Café. Sit on the outside pillows and order a shakshuka and an absinthe (for the alice-in-wonderland-thrill of sipping an aqua hued drink that was only recently aflame)

artistic dialogue between Israel and the global village

Usually I write about a specific artist or body of work, but today I’d like to write about writing about art. My favorite breakfast reading (well mainly but also long sheriut rides or coffee breaks reading... but I digress) is Programma Magazine, a delicious assortment of thoughtful articles, artist interviews, and covers of exhibits. A repository of pure aesthetic delight, this magazine brings a couple hundred pages of solid insights and updates to art lovers inside and outside of Israel.



This magazine has a pretty lofty goal- the Programma team hopes to “give voice to all those who regard art as a necessary part of life and are searching for a place to meet, discuss, argue and promote artistic endeavors”. Their authors shy away from hi falutin art speak (AHEM I’m looking at you, Jerusalem Post weekend edition art section). The articles are crafted with a steady hand combining well-researched insights, selected interview bits, and analyses of the piece or body of work. The content is engaging, insightful and relevant, never missing a beat. With beautiful layouts and stunning images, Programma resembles a coffee table book more than a magazine. But the lovely editors at Programma really stole my heart with the tear-out reproductions of featured artists. I finally finished off my mood board with a stark Jan Tichy photograph of an orchid blanching in overexposed light and rearing sea green horses painted by Shai Zurim.



It’s only published once a year, so I’m waiting with bated breath for the next edition to come out in Fall 2010. Which is far too vague of a release date for me to be comfortable with. EXACTLY when and where can I get it? I am plagued by fears of standing in an Israeli "line" (read: uncontrolled mob scene) while I clamor for my beloved read. Their website sheds no light on this, so I was coerced into subscribing to their email list in the hopes of gleaning the release date. Hopefully I'll be rewarded with an invite to the release party... the last one had mini souffle cups... *fingers crossed*

textile dreams: spanning the distance between israel, france, banality and art

Israeli artist Tzuri Gueta deconstructs and reconstructs, sculpting ethereal, almost sea like creations out of the most banal materials. His installations seems to bow to no rules, follow no conventions; the unexpected shapes and textures take your breath away and draw you in with their curious forms. As a contemporary creator, Gueta focuses our attention on the magic that happens when something is taken apart- through the process of re-creation, something entirely new is borne, and mere polymer is elevated to airy gracefulness.

Gueta honed his art working for Parisian designers who needed exceptional and unusual designs to decorate the collars and hems of their haute couture creations. Some of his object-accessories resemble softly glowing opalesque drops, achieved by pressing lace against silicone gel. Others are reminiscent of sea anemones or underwater plants, while others are vaguely threatening- sharp black shapes thrusting out of tar-like textures.

Gueta recently had an exhibition at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, entitled Si51. I never did discover exactly what Si51 is, so I feel free to engage in a little open interpretation here- I liked the scientific connotation of the exhibit’s name, seemingly in reference to the fusion of hi-tech and low-tech processes to re-form synthetic materials into something much more. While obviously stunningly gorgeous, I also found the installations to be filled with inspiration. The story of rebirth or recreation holds such promise, for it always seems lke just around the corner lies redemption. Gueta’s deconstruction and recreation of base and usually vulgar materials into new and unrecognizable forms is a visualization of hope. When things fall apart, exquisite beauty can rise phoenix-like from the ashes.

paper people: transience of time, permanence of memory

We are all molded by our surroundings to some extent, even if those surroundings existed only for a second. Israeli artist Naama Aaransohn is fascinated by the transience of people- forever passing by, a never ending blur of individuality that disappears almost as suddenly as it came. In her new exhibit 'Paper People', Ms. Aaronsohn explores how our transient surroundings become imprinted on our memory and re-imagined into permanence.

To visualize the journey from transient memory to palpable permanence, Ms. Aaronsohn turned to the medium of paper to sculpt her impressions of of different characters she has encountered. She explains that paper is an 'endlessly amenable material' which, throughout the process of sculpture creation, turns into something 'tough, enduring, and multilayered'.

Surprisingly, the juxtaposition of delicate paper sculptures scattered throughout the busy business formality of a crisp and modern foyer is quite fitting. Rather than the paper creations being cordoned off to the side, safe from childrens' sticky fingers and businessmens' noted inability to multitask walking and blackberrying, the sculptures mingle with people and almost intercept your path. Just as the real life inspirations are impermanent, interacted with for just a moment, so too did these sculptures appear to be- the backs of the sculptures are rough and unfinished, meant to be a part of your space and then moved past.

The dining table scene seemed out of place to me- while the other sculptures were believable in that they could have been characters that you encounter throughout your day and move past quickly, the dining scene required to to stop and walk over, examining it from different angles and perspectives. In forcing you to stop and investigate the going ons of these paper hedonists, the artist went too far in interiorizing the exhibit. I love the concept of exploring how the ever-changing space we move through takes on a personalized permanence through re-imagination, but the artist needs to refine her vision in order for the exhibit to be more cohesive.

reNEWal- 'artists' choices' exhibit at the renewed israel musuem

A temporary exhibit that has opened the new wings of the Israel Museum is entitled ‘Artists Choices’. Three guest artists (Zvi Goldstein, Susan Hiller, and Yinka Shonibare) were honored with the task of curating their own exhibits. With full access to everything in the Museum’s collection, they have crafted three very different and incredible exhibits with highly personal yet universal topics. The exhibits enrich the experience of the Museum as a repository of aesthetic and cultural memory, and are the perfect way to showcase the “renewed” Museum.

Susan Hiller's exhibit was my personal favorite, and I managed to sneakily take a few pics when the guard looked away. Her exhibit is a layered presentation of modern and contemporary art, and focused on the themes of fragmentation, decay and metaphoric absence. Simultaneously melancholic and tragically beautiful, I feel on love with an installation of three huge panels of blood red flowers. Trapped beneath large plastic sheets, the live flowers were deprived of water and slowly dying, yet the clouds of mold that blossomed among the petals only added to the fragile beauty of the piece.

The “STILLmoving” installation was also wonderful, with highlights such as Celeste Boursier-Mougenot’s pool filled with different sized porcelain and glass objects. The objects produce a softly twinkling chorus as they gently swirl in the waters, and their unplanned and harmonious beauty reminds the observer of the possible beauty to be found in mundane objects.

Another exciting find was Noel and Harriette Levine's collection of photographs. Apparently this New York society couple were among the first to recognize the latent promise of photography as an art form, and over the years they built up one of the most significant collections of photographs, including photographs from Robert Mapplethorpe and prints from the 19th century. Rather than selling their extraordinary collection to an institution or dismantling it and auctioning it off, they instead donated the entire collection to the Museum on Israel's 60th anniversary. Thus the entire photographic collection has remained as a whole, preserving its integrity and personal character. It was incredible to see so many great pieces together- unfortunately I could not sneak any photos this time (the guard was onto my antics and affixed me with an evil eye), so I guess you will have to check this one out for yourself.

puppy art (a slight digression from our general theme)

well the concept of art is fairly wide and open to interpretation so uh... this is shtiglitz the shih tzu everyone. and he is art because- well he is a puppy wearing sunglasses! it makes sense. go with it.