About this blog
Say it slowly and you’ll get it: De-sign-ist Dream. Where art and design and the Holy Land meet. Both in my life and now, on this blog. My eyes are the most active tools I have, appreciating beauty, complexity and expression wherever it inspires me. Having left America to settle in Israel, armed with two Art History degrees and a whole ‘lotta naivete, I was instantly struck by the level of craftsmanship, sophistication and complexity of Israel’s visual culture. I soon realized that I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know about this burgeoning scene. And I wasn’t the only one who wanted to know more.
Enter the blog. I don’t aspire to neatly wrap up or define a package of Israeli art and design. My approach is loose: anything I find aesthetically pleasing - or, in certain cases, incredibly displeasing - but mostly what’s inspiring and inspired qualifies. And the material or media covered will run the gamut - from architecture and industrial design to print media and photography to jewelry and handmade crafts.
Drawing on my professional experience in major museums and galleries in the US, Europe and Israel (especially if internships count), I hope to demonstrate the depth, range and color of Israeli art and design. What attracts, engages or amuses. Or just opens the discussion. Designers from and in Israel are invited to send submissions of works for reviews, news of product launches or invitations to exhibitions. I want Designist Dream to be the start of a community for artists, designers and admirers of Israeli design in Israel and around the world - and invite you all to join.
About me
Ziva Haller Rubenstein moved to Israel from the US after completing her MA in Art History at Tufts University in Medford, MA. Her professional experience ranges from art and culture magazines and non-profit art educational organizations to museums and galleries in the US, UK and Israel. After avidly reading many of the big art and design blogs for years, she is excited to join the ranks with a focus on Israel’s contribution to the art and design community. She lives in Modiin with her husband, Harry, daughter, Tzofi, and dog, Noonie.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Alan from Oak Park // Nov 1, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Ziva
Wow, I get to post the first comment! Sababa!
It’s been a while since we heard from you. I miss your podcasts with Harry. Good luck with your blog and finding your “voice”. I have to say that I was hoping to see a picture of you here, even a drawing as Harry has on The View From Here. I guess you remain a mystery.
My wife and daughter are talking about going to see the SOFA show this weekend - the Israeli-Palestinian project is the attraction. (We are Chicagoans.) I’ll try to get some impressions from them and post comments.
BTW, although not design related, could we get some occasional updates on Tzofia?
2 Ziva // Nov 2, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Hi Alan, So nice to have our loyal podcast fans keeping up with us as our creative projects change and our family grows. The latest update on Tzofi is that she’s amazing - our greatest work of art
I’ll try to work in a pic of her with a related post although I haven’t decided yet whether or not to reveal my own identity!
Looking forward to hearing what your wife and daughter thought of the show!
3 Jacqueline // Mar 2, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Wonderful blog! Finally a source of information on what s new and creative in Israel!
Keep us posted:)
Jacqueline
4 Ziva // Mar 2, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Thanks Jacqueline! I’m really happy to find readers eager to hear more about the great things going on here. That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing
So thanks for the feedback and I look forward to seeing you in the comments community,
5 Ponoko Blog // Mar 29, 2008 at 9:36 pm
[...] it’s tumultuous political situation, if the blogs Designist Dream and Modern Tribe are anything to by Israel isn’t short of creativity. I recently found a post [...]
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