Designist Dream

From the biblical to the technological - and a lot in between - it’s been a big 60 years. Happy birthday, Israel… and many more.

Look for my post on 60bloggers.com honoring Israel’s achievements over the past 6 decades in the fields of art, fashion, culture and design towards the end of the month.

Check out these great pics by Harry over at Jerusalemite, The Jerusalem Culture Guide, of internationally-acclaimed architect Santiago Calatrava’s Chord Bridge. The photographic angle really shows the intricate steel cables of the bridge which both support the overpass for Israel’s light rail and soar above the city’s skyline weightlessly.

Personally, I love this bridge. Driving into Jerusalem, the harp-like steel suspension bridge pierces through the city’s skyline and makes me look upward - and with today’s spring skies it’s quite a pretty picture. But, as Jerusalemite reports, not everyone’s in a sunny disposition over Calatrava’s architectural wonder:

Outrageous traffic jams, increasing costs and even cracks (yes, cracks) in the bridge and other problems have made for a PR nightmare for the municipality. Many feel that the bridge is simply out of its element and question whether it even fits visually in the city.

What do you think? Should architecture as public art be made to conform to the rest of the city - in this case, older, made of Jerusalem-stone and angular in construction? Or by being different, does Calatrava’s Chord Bridge introduce some new and modern sights snd sounds to the city’s ancient history?

Despite construction delays, Calatrava’s Chord Bridge is set to be inaugurated on May 26th in honor of Israel’s 60th anniversary. More background on Calatrava and his design approach can be found in this New York Times article.

And more on-the-scene images and info of the bridge and other Jerusalem notables are at Jerusalemite.

PS. I have to write that this photograph was provided exclusively by Harry. And with many thanks for and acknowledgment of his talent.

Well, I did and I’m sorry I didn’t get to share info about this event during Passover break or before it closed last Saturday. But I didn’t expect my Passover holiday to be so much fun that I would be too pooped out at the end of the day - mentally and physically, man those 1 year olds are challenging - to post. So apologies again for the absence, folks, but I hope it was a lovely spring break for you all as well and now let’s get back to our regularly scheduled visual programming.

Last week the whole family went to Bat Yam and I’ll just preempt your confusion – I mean, Bat Yam? Not what you first think of for international and Israeli contemporary art. But, as you may remember, I love love love public art. And after checking out their Hebrew and English website, we were convinced. And off to Bat Yam’s first biennale on landscape urbanism we went.

Now the subject of landscape urbanism is slightly new to me I’ll admit, but it’s basically where outdoor garden design and landscaping come together in urban spaces to enhance or engage individual or community interaction. This amazing project was sprawled out across the city with pockets of installations by Israeli and international designers, some even featuring activities like musical performances, lectures and creative workshops for kids. We went during the day and despite the heat wave walked to a few central projects around town. The café/salon/courtyard project photographed (so well) below by Harry (Thanks, Babe) called A Lamppost with a Switch was my favorite. Created by Israeli designers/ urban planners, Shiri Cnaani and Taly Ariely, the setting generated an intimate atmosphere, much like a coffeeshop or living room, within the lawn courtyard of a residential building. At night, the lights strung across the tree and in the lampposts must have lent a really gentle and warm atmosphere to the public space. But during the day, we enjoyed the fire-engine red modern furniture and the fun possibilities of playing around in someone else’s backyard-turned-living room-turned-public garden.

I had a few minor problems with the exhibition though, namely, the signs were not well organized, nor were the events happening when we thought they would. More importantly though I thought too many themes were presented. The site talks about “Urban Action” as the central thesis of the exhibition, while signs and installations reflected ideas of ‘hosting’, home and the interchange between public and private, host and guest. In that sense the scope was too large. The Bat Yam Museum hosted a group of German artists who lived in the museum as part of an installation piece. Although an extension of the theme, I think it overcomplicated the exhibition with too many issues to think about. Having focused on one theme would have perhaps strengthened the experience and focused the individual’s engagement better (ie. thinking about urban space in an aesthetic way or questioning how to allow for private experiences in public space).

But alas the project is not about me or my family, no matter how much we enjoyed it. It’s about and for the residents of Bat Yam. Building up new outdoor spaces for their enjoyment. Renovating the city with a new cultural facelift. And bringing residents out of their private homes and into their shared public spaces with a newfound sense of pride and beauty.

More pictures from the Biennale on flickr.

The New York Times recently called it, “A Sofa Dr. Suess Might Have Dreamed Up”. Apartment Therapy thought it resembled a “giant cheese” (in the golden yellow upholstery option). And it’s by no other than Israeli design legend Ron Arad. Labeled as Misfit, Ron Arad breaks couch convention with this six-part sectional, comprised of two ottomans, two middle seats and two corner pieces. Gone are the neatly pre-fab L-shaped sectionals that perfectly and conveniently fit into your every-den. Say goodbye to the perpendicular angles of your usual seating options. This unruly couch makes you want to move, slide and sink into conceptual and challenging furniture design.

Featured at the preeminent Milan furniture fair 15 years ago, Misfit was first designed by Ron Arad for high-end Italian furniture house
Moroso. The reason for the delay in its production? “I probably was a bit ahead of my time,” said Arad. But now Moroso feels the market is ready. So its 2008 and now Arad puts the Surreal back into interior design. So open up your unconscious and allow Arad to break away at your automated responses that are telling you to reject that which isn’t neutral, standard or purchased from a catalog or department store. Come on, let him in to your home (and mind) and have some real fun with design. I know I welcome Ron Arad into my home anytime - ‘cept he has a lot of Ikea to contend with.

It goes without saying that I’m a big fan of Etsy. I can spend hours looking for artwork, crafts, toys, clothes - you name it and I’ve searched for it, either to purchase to inspire. I’ve also featured several Israeli artists from Etsy on Designist Dream like Rafya by Alona Lahav and Shirae by Shira Sela. Since posting about them and others just a few months ago, the number of Israelis selling through Etsy has soared. Perhaps the above Hebrew manual on How to Sell on Etsy by Israeli crafter and artist raisinlike has helped many throw their creative mitts into the crafty ring.

Just yesterday though it seems that somewhere in the Etsy community, a link was posted to Designist Dream. I’m thrilled to be noticed and recommended by Etsy sellers, buyers and fans, but I can’t seem to find the link or post. Can anyone send me the link, please? Thanks and happy crafting whether you’re in Israel or elsewhere in the world.

Though I’ve been busy with my mom visiting, I haven’t forgotten the fun at last weekend’s HaSalon Israeli designer home accessories fair in Tel Aviv. And that’s because one of these supergreat industrial crate benches is now in my living room.

Lool 82 is an Israeli design collective that creates funky home accessories from benches and end tables to wall hangings to stuffed animals. All bear impeccable attention to detail and a real sense of quality. To say these things can really hold is a double entendre: Not only do they hold real people sitting on them but open the lid and they can hold anything else - and hide it away. We bought a bright red one with a neato retro patterned cushion top - deep chocolate brown with golden flowers - to hide away some of the growing piles of toys and dolls in our living room. I also wanted to buy one of these but we’re maxed out on end side tables.

Lool 82 designer, Naty, who is responsible for designing the crates, customizes the cushions to order by color and fabric. But don’t let it good looks fool you, this is industrial meets design. The price is affordable for the masses - much like the crate’s history. The sturdy factory crate - repurposed simply and creatively - is the real star of the show. Old, factory or shipping standards now reinvented and rejuvenated in your home. The design challenge is environmentally friendly in nature and aesthetic: reuse, recycle and redesign for your life - and look super cool while doing it too.

{Crossposted to Green Prophet}

In preparation for visiting tomorrow’s HaSalon home furnishings designer sale in Tel Aviv, I’ve been taking stock of what I have around the house and what I’d love to add or change. For sure the easiest way to change a room’s look or feel is through accessories like pillows or cushions. And I’m thinking of breaking up some of the mid-century modern I have going on with a bit of the eclectic. So coming across these beautiful handmade Bedouin pillows and cushions, was like an interior design dream come true.

Ethnicware features a range of handmade crafts made by Israeli ethnic and minority groups from Bedouin and Druze to Ethipoian and Kavkazi including handwoven or embroidered textiles, ceramics, jewelry, handbags and more. Founded by Rachel Oren, Ethnicware strives to promote peace between disparate ethnic, religious or social groups through shared craft practices and interests: advancing women, strengthening their position in the family and in society, and preserving long-standing craft traditions.

I love the combination of ethnic patterns and embroidery with modern abstracted flower patterns in the top set. And the cushion above adds textural and colorful interest and more seating options to your living room. So if you’re like me and looking to de-neutralize some color and design palettes in your home, consider some ethnic instead of just eclectic and promote minority women and cultural craft traditions at the same time.

I came across these products separately, but together I think they pose some interesting questions about designing the body and for the body. Each work below reflects layers of meaning in the recreation of the body into a particular medium. Each has something to say, perhaps, beyond, hey nice bod.

Take these three tee-shirts by Israeli design student Irit Lanciano. The idea is simple: the human body has receptacles and containers - hands, stomachs, breasts - and manufactured products serve as receptacles and containers. What happens when the two meet? When what covers your body serves the same purpose with the addition of a newly attached appendage. Where does the human body begin - by its definition and purpose - and the manufactured ‘body’ begin?

Or how about these beautiful leather shoulder bag by Riva. Called the Torso for Design by Riva, it’s a slender and elegantly shaped lithe fashion accessory that comes in an amazing array of colors. (The leather textures are quite sumptuous too.) The detailed stitching and layering of materials along the top edge - what makes the rectangular shape almost hourglass - recalls the curves of a (woman’s) body her hips or her chest. Either way, this small open-hole detail elevates an everyday shoulder bag from merely beautiful to somehow sensual.

Finally, these leotard-clad dancers are by Israeli ceramic artist Meira Una. Despite the impression of flexibility and movement they give, they’re actually frozen in their poses. As vases, the extensions of their body - what actually moves and breathes beyond the ceramic case - are the flowers, plants or leaves that you put in them. An interesting take on what’s natural, alive, (im)material and eternal.

I was very excited to happen upon this Designboom’s feature article on the Israeli design student art exchange and training program in Chinese bamboo production and craft. Back when I first posted about it, I could only find photos of three bamboo toys. Now we can all drool at the super cool Metropolis cityscape set by Israeli design student Michal Zohar (above) or the hipster-meets-scooter by Israeli design student Etay Amir (below) and plenty of other toys - which I’ll put up on flickr - show how cool bamboo is for kids and parents alike.

Now, environmentally, the benefits of bamboo as a material are plenty and it seems that as the material of the moment, bamboo is also enjoying the spotlight of modern design. Keeping Israeli designers on the forefront of eco-conscious design - and strengthening the Israel-China design connection - is Daniel Fintzi who is working on some products for Bambu Home. “Bambu provides design solutions made from renewable materials that excite and delight people about sustainable alternatives for modern living”. They’re work ethic is astonishing too: it just keeps getting better. They only use bamboo that is sustainably harvested and free of fertilizers or pesticides, ie. from organic sources and treatment. They employ fair trade practices for artisans, workers and production. All products are reusable and/or biodegradable. They donate a percentage of the profits to environmental causes. And the list goes on! Plus, and this is important too, Bambu home accessories are beautifully modern yet handmade with a touch of classic. Check out the Veneerware utensils and plates by Bambu below. Now that’s the kind of Made in China I’d want to fill my house with. Looking forward to seeing what Daniel will be designing for them.

{Crossposted to Green Prophet}

“Go, get it yourself,” never sounded as good as when Lior and Tal from Chunt Designs told me that their ‘By the Book” night table will be available for purchase at this weekend’ s HaSalon home furnishings fair in Tel Aviv. Now in it’s second year, HaSalon - meaning the living room, parlor or sitting room - is a home design fair celebrating Israeli smaller studios and independent designers from the hardworking to the handcrafted. Some of the designers listed to present are so new, they don’t even come up (yet) on Google (imagine that) while others like Shahar Peleg and Ototo are more established and sold worldwide. The products range from lighting, clocks, to shelving and furniture and back to wall and table accessories. Incidentally, the top left looking trivets by Ototo caught my eye at the Designed in Israel exhibition a while back. The trivets double as napkin rings and look super cool as white porcelain jax - so they’re multitasking the aesthetic with the purposeful. And right on your dining room table. Cool.

HaSalon is open this Friday April 4th, 10am - 6pm, and Saturday April 5th, 10am through 9pm, at the Comfort Club, 13 Comfort Street in the Florentine neighborhood of Tel Aviv. For those of you abroad kicking yourself that you don’t live in Israel and therefore can’t share in the home design fun, have no fear, I shall take upon myself to bring you coverage of the best and brightest from the fair. That is, whatever I can manage to write down in between my shopping extravaganza!