About a year ago, I found these two items at the Yaffo flea market: A beautiful, hand-embroidered cosmetic case bound in a Tiffany-blue, textured leather and a similar compact mirror. The shop owner told me they were made in Israel in the early years of the State but he had no specific information, other than what was written on the inside lining: Orient Made in Israel.

Ive become a lot more obsessed with the idea of crafts lately. The idea of craftsmanship, its positioning as somehow outside of the fine arts but demanding expertise of skill and execution all the same, and the traditions of the field, how they’re unphased for the most part (or are they) by technological advances…

All this to say, I need your help, please. I want to delve deeper into Israel’s artistic history and practice. Beyond design as creativity and production and Israel as a meeting point for global influences and top notch approaches, what are Israel’s traditions of design as object? How did culture, history, politics, or economy impact design in every day life – and craft production too? What were the first Israelis’ crafts or home goods? When did design become an important aesthetic in their homes? Their lives?

There’s this romanticized view of Israel’s early pioneers (I mean in the 1940s and 50s specifically) as having lived with very little, both because there wasn’t a maximized economy or commercial market here, but more because they had to be so devoted and dedicated to the founding of cities like Tel Aviv. So then you find these cosmetic cases, “Made in Israel”. By who? And for who? A decorative compact case for what kind of woman or women – were there many like her or was it created for a select few?

I guess it’s a look into material culture meets visual culture meets design history. Like more than this particular example – the cosmetic case and the Israeli woman from the 1950s – what did homes and design look like in this period? There are graphic design posters from this period that can help shed light on a public aesthetic, but what about in private settings, homes, rooms… My Googling skills are now exhausted – without much success. So please send names of people, books or places for further research? Thanks for your help. I look forward to sharing my findings with you on the blog. Who knows, it could be fun.

So to help shortcut design fans to the best of Israeli design, here’s the low-down on all the various events coming up (and fast). Please read through to the end since there are exhibition listings, seminars, workshops and more. And just to give credit where credit is due, all listings were taken from here.

Israel Design Week Holon
The Best of Israeli Design
May 06 – May 15, 2011
Exhibition
To mark Israel’s 63rd Independence Day, Israel Design Week Holon will be held at various locations around the City of Holon from May 5 to May 15, 2011. This initiative is a continuation of and an additional stage in the process led by the City of Holon to promote design in Israel and transform the city into a national design center, a process that began with the inauguration of Design Museum Holon. Israel Design Week Holon will present the achievements of design professionals in exhibitions and study days, as well as the achievements of local industry in general. These events will raise relevant design issues for professional discussion and address the direct connection between Israeli design and Israel’s ‘Made in Israel’ industry.

Exhibitions during Israel Design Week Holon include:

Designed in Israel 4 & Designers of the Future 4
Opening: May 6, 2011
Design Museum Holon

Designed in Israel 4 presents the achievements of contemporary Israeli design in the past year. The exhibition presents about 240 works from the fields of industrial design, graphic design, branding, interactive media, jewelry design, and so forth.

Designers of the Future 4, presents a selection of about 70 graduation projects by graduates from all the design schools in the fields of industrial design, graphic design, and jewelry design from the past year.
Additionally, a catalogue of the two exhibitions will be produced in Hebrew and English, which will serve as documentation of the practice and power of Israeli design and industry. The catalogue will be distributed in Israel and abroad as part of the international exposure strategy for Israeli design.

Made in Israel Expo – Designed and Made in Israel
Opening: May 5, 2011
Mediatheque complex

The event presents the “Made in Israel” industries that express national pride, and exposes products designed and manufactured in Israel in a variety of sectors, such as construction, food, electronics, jewelry, consumer goods, fashion, and so forth, and demonstrates the connection between Israeli design and Israeli industry.

Garbs of Creamy Goodness
Opening: May 7, 2011
HaMishkan Gallery, Beit Meirov

An exhibition presenting design duo Helena and Philip Blaunstein’s “Frau Blau” label – a new, colorful collection whose designs are inspired by the work of renowned graphic artist Gary Baseman.
“Frau Blau” was founded in Tel Aviv in 2002 by designers Helena Blaunstein and Philip Blau, and the concept behind the label is quality fashion with a humorous twist.
Gary Baseman lives in Los Angeles and is a star in the firmament of contemporary pop art. He is considered one of the most prolific and influential artists in his field, and has won a BAFTA award and three Emmys for the animated series Teacher’s Pet, based on which Disney Studios produced a feature film by the same name. He has worked with The New York Times, The New Yorker, Mercedes-Benz, Kodak, and Nike, to name but a few major firms. In addition to being a renowned illustrator, he also works in diverse fields, including animation, television, advertising, vinyl toy design, and fashion.

Profile Pictures
Opening: May 6, 2011
Holon Theatre Gallery

An exhibition of graphic designer Tal Spiegel’s work. Spiegel is a fourth-year student at Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, who designed a new Facebook profile picture of himself every day in the course of a year. His face appears in each and every picture, while the background and context change. The project is mostly influenced by culture icons, everyday objects, and anything else that crossed his mind.

Stitches in Copper
Opening: May 7, 2011
Hankin Gallery

An exhibition of works by Nati Amoyales presenting garments made from copper. Nati has been working with copper for fifteen years and has experimented with numerous techniques to find her distinctive path with the material. She says: “I’d cover the whole world in copper”.
Her works are sculptural. The copper sheets are cut and sewn together by hand to create garments: corsets, bras, dresses, and trousers. The complex technique includes beating, making holes, embossing, enameling, and utilizing pleating and lace motifs to create the effect of soft material.

“Made in Israel” Posters Designed by Students
Opening: May 5, 2011
Mediatheque and Dov Hoz Blvd.

The Israel Community of Designers in conjunction with the Israel Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor “Made in Israel” Department will be holding a competition between the departments for visual communication at the various design schools on the subject: “Made in Israel”. The “Made in Israel” Department will award prizes for the top three designers. The judging committee comprises representatives of the “Made in Israel” Department and the Israel Community of Designers.

Israeli Book 2011
Curator: Ilan Hagari
Opening: May 6, 2011
HaChava Gallery

The exhibition presents about 40 books in three categories, artist’s books, exhibition catalogues, and research books on Israeli art, that have been designed by fifteen of the most prominent Israeli designers in the field.
Art books constitute a platform by means of which diverse techniques and printing materials can be used for each book, and provide an opportunity for the designer to present the new and original.
Alongside the works of prominent designers, the exhibition also presents a selection of projects by students and recent graduates from design schools in Israel.
Designers participating in the exhibition include: Michal Sahar, Gila Kaplan, Nadav Shalev, Kobi Levi, Kobi Franco, Noa Shwartz, Koby Barhad, Dan Alexander, David Tartakover, Ilan Hagari, Guy Saggee and Adi Stern, Anna Geslev, Noam Shechter, and Nirit Binyamini.

Three study days will be held during Israel Design Week Holon:

May 5, 2011 | A study day on Design as an Economic Driver: Developing Strategic Company Assets Trough Intellectual Property Management, focusing on emphasizing the importance of design as an economic/business driver for company development.

May 12, 2011 | A study day on Industrial Design, Graphic Design/Branding, presenting leading designers in Israel who will also be showing their work.

May 15, 2011 | A study day on Interactive Media, discussing the cultural difference between interactive designers and their counterparts from the world of interactive startups.

Two “Design Friday” encounters will also be held:

May 6, 2011 | A lecture by leading New York based industrial designer Dror Benshetrit and Raphael Navot Nevo, guests of Tollman’s.

May 13, 2011 | An encounter on the subject of books will be held on . In this event, which is associated with the book exhibition at the HaChava Gallery, leading Israeli book designers will present a selection of projects and conduct an open discussion with the audience on book design.

About the Israel Community of Designers:
The Israel Community of Designers is a non-profit organization that represents industrial design, graphic design, and jewelry design professionals in Israel. The ICD represents Israel in international organizations, and includes practicing designers, students, and recent graduates from all the design schools in Israel.
Further information on the ICD website: www.israel-designers.org

A two-legged table?! I know what you’re thinking, “can’t be!?” “why that’s impossible!” “are you outta your mind!?” Aha, but it can; and it’s not; and I am. (But that last part is unrelated).

Israeli designers Shay Carmoun and Ben Kilinger, collaborating as StudioVe here in Tel Aviv, have reinterpreted the traditional coffee table relying on asymmetrical, oak, wooden legs, positioned at the oblique corners to offset the table’s balance and stability. But what really clinches the deal is their use of a DuPont(tm) Corian(R) techno-surface. According to the press release,

The upper ends of the legs perforate the table top made with DuPont(tm) Corian(R) high-tech surface, conferring rigidity to the table. Further stability comes from the joints between the tabletop and legs. By perforating the Corian(R) tabletop, the legs appear to have the dislodged matter piled on top, incrementing the contact area of the joints and thus their stability. This refined detail is at the same time an aesthetic highlight of the table.

Thanks to the thermoforming ability of DuPont(tm) Corian(R) and the possibility to create invisible seams (even with other materials), the table features astonishing purity in terms of aesthetics and confers a touch of prestige to the smart and stylish design.

First marketed as a high-performance countertop for kitchens and bathrooms, DuPont(tm) Corian(R) has recently become a favorite of the architecture and design world for its malleable material and versatile applications – from indoors to outdoors, surfaces to walls. Moreover, it’s been certified by many green standards in the US, including the US Green Building Council, for its benefits to the environment.

All photos by Tamar Tal.

From the Israeli Center for Digital Art: Last date for first round of proposals: 27.04.2010

The Jessie Cohen Project wishes to explore the ways in which art can take part in processes of change on a city or neighbourhood scale, by working side by side with other municipal, governmental, and private institutions. To learn about the neighbourhood and project, click here.
(Hebrew site).

The Jessie Cohen Project will take place over the course of two years (2010-2011) in which different art projects will take place, with priority given to projects that have the potential for sustainability beyond 2011, in which case funding solutions should not be reliant on the center.

Our intention is to enable long term working processes and artists’ involvement alongside joint work with other “players” in the neighborhood like the community center, the schools and the municipality.

Proposals should include:
+A brief description of the project (one A4 page at most)
+A description of the involvement with other elements in the community, neighborhood or municipality
+A description of the implementation of the project – people involved, technical needs
+Project budget
+Duration of the project

Proposals should be sent to info@digitalartlab.org.il

We encourage projects that: take into consideration the special needs of different groups and communities in the neighborhood; encourage new audiences and publics to come to the neighborhood; see the art community as a target group; explore the possibilities of art action in the community; and enable long-term and sustainable processes for social, cultural and communal involvement.

The Israeli Center for Digital Art and the Lazaorus Community Center, together with other municipal bodies can provide help and financial support with research and implementation of the projects by coordinating, helping with production; accessing needed work and exhibition spaces, and exposing the project to the general public.

First, is Avishag who sells jewelry from the Negev (southern) region through her Shoogi shop. The combination of vintage, secondhand, handmade and overall personal touches in neckalces, broaches and earrings nearly had me buying my own gifts – and burning my credit card. Take this lucite rose and vontage glass bead necklace which won my top spot for presents this year (hint hint, dear family members who read this).

Industrial Designer Shlomit Ofir, from Tel Aviv, brings an organic and natural touch to earrings, necklaces, hair clips and more with her range of branch, leaf and flower-inspired pieces. This silver branch necklace was just the right blend of interesting, modern and aged.

Also from Tel Aviv is graphic designer-turned- jewelry maker Anakim who’s blend of natural materials from Israel with precious metals and stones is at once handcrafted and industrial, personal and universal. This lava bead and organic silver pendant necklace from popular seller struck an interesting chord with me, both modern and timeless, subtle and eye-catching.

There are plenty more Israeli jewelry designers on Etsy, some of which I hope to continue featuring during Chanukah, but I invite you to send me emails or comment below with some of your Gift for Her suggestions from Etsy. I’ll be posting about gifts for him, babies, and the home as the holiday festivities continue. I encourage you all this season to shop loca, support independent artists and buy something that’s personal for your loved ones. Happy Chanukah and enjoy the miracles of family, friends and lots of fried food – for the first night at least

Their designs are comfortable, hip and beautiful and their work is garnering recognition and praise worldwide. ISRAEL21c focuses on seven of the country’s top industrial designers. Combining art and aesthetics with function and purpose, industrial designers can make our lives more comfortable, hip, beautiful and eco-aware.

Israel can boast its own Philippe Starck. The only democracy in the Middle East is also the birthplace of another world-famous designer – UK-based Ron Arad. After designing for famous studios in Europe, Arad opened a studio in London, where he also teaches at the Royal College of Art. And in Israel, Arad recently designed the international Design Museum Holon, soon to make its debut.

ISRAEL21c brings you seven of our favorite Israeli designers of whom you should also be aware:

Arik Levy
Based in France, you might find yourself looking at your own reflection in one of Arik Levy‘s enormous and highly polished metallic ‘gem’ seats in a hidden Paris garden. “Design is an uncontrolled muscle,” says Levy, a self-described technician, artist, photographer and filmmaker. Best known for his industrial furniture design for global companies and installations, Levy works out of Paris, where he commands a 20-person team. They work on the less glitzy side of the business as well, designing packaging, signs and exhibitions.

Shay Alkalay and Yael Mer
Shay Alkalay and Yael Mer, a design duo from Israel, now live in London where they run Raw Edges Design Studio. Partners in both work and life, photographs of the two in design magazines would make you think that all they do is play all day. Tutored under Ron Arad at the Royal College of Art, the off-the-wall pair is known for its playful non-commercial products like the Evacuation Skirt (in case global warming flooding occurs and you need an inflatable canoe) and Sticky Stains for hiding those nasty mustard stains on white shirts. Featured in serious design exhibits and shops for their gravity-challenging furniture that also tests the limits of material, these two young ones clearly have a long career ahead.

Shahar Peleg
Designing commercial products in small quantities, Shahar Peleg creates trinkets for everyday life, making hanging your keys or placing your purse on the table just a little more interesting. His products are sold in design stores in Israel, Europe and the US where he is loved for his experimentation with optical illusions – a mixture of design and “magic” that compels you to take a closer look. His chain-link wine rack is a hot item.

Ayala Serfaty
Ayala Serfaty of Aqua Creations makes lamps of monumental proportions. Using large swathes of fabric, plastics and glass, she creates her signature look: Organic lamps and lampshades that seem to have been swept in from the sea. She designs furniture, too. You’ll find her work in museums in New York and Paris and hotel lobbies around the world. Serfaty sets the right mood for a nightcap.

Ototo
Ototo, the design duo Ori Saidi and Daniel Gassner, like to test the limits of everyday objects. A famous fruit bowl of theirs can be described as a place “where iron meets origami.” They have a signature piece, a doggy bank made to look like metallic balloons, and a vase made from stacked teacups. It’s perfect for tea with the Mad Hatter.

Gadi Amit
Gadi Amit of NewDealDesign crafted one of Israel’s most popular water coolers. In the big world of computers he has designed computer casings – some sustainable – for several of the biggest names in the industry. Based in California, Amit has been busy designing the charge points for Israel’s new electric car stations, so that people will be able to charge their battery cars in style. But you don’t have to buy a bamboo PC, or wait to buy an electric car to see his work. Find his designs at the Chicago Athenaeum, the Cooper Hewitt-National Design Museum and at San Francisco’s MOMA.

Efrat Gommeh
Featured on design-o-phile sites like DesignBoom, Efrat Gommeh, is more than a little playful. In response to a need to reduce packaging in the design industry, she’s developed a package for candles that transforms into candleholders. Her Lock-Cup is a favorite among office workers. Each one includes a personal key, without which the coffee cup won’t hold any liquid. This way, only you and you alone can use your coffee cup at break-time.

(Research credit for this story goes to Ziva Haller-Rubenstein of the DesignistDream.com blog) Thanks, Karin!

A very creative, inspiring and funny friend of mine has started a new blog called Levavot which is Hebrew for hearts. It’s all about givin’ some luv, as her posts feature hearts in the oddest of places – bus stop ads, shops, streets, high schools, and more – the point is (well, there are several, bit one nice one, I think) there’s a lot of love in Israel and maybe we can all see it and share some with our fellow citizens, Jewish, Arab, Druze, Christian, whatever.

Ok, so that was a bit political, but it can also be a bit more personal. Take the time to see the romantic, sweet and touching love we all really want to share with someone, deep down. So check it out for yourselves and sign up for some added lovin’. There’s even a place to write in a charity you ‘heart’ so others will spread the word and generate support.

Taking the outdoors in. Meeting nature with industry. Israeli born, Paris-based designer, and my personal superstar, Arik Levy, has done it again. Revamping the traditional indoors fireplace for a new, modern and abstracted collection for Planika Fires. Stripped down to the basic elements – fire, fuel and protection (albeit not exactly child-proof, but still encased in glass) – Levy’s coffee table are more natural function and industrial form.

No longer piled high logs or deeply inset caverns of fire, Levy’s new fireside chat-sites suggest what we need most is for these exterior, natural phenomena to fit in well with our industrial interiors. We need them to be beautiful (minimal, clean lines), match our decor (coated steel options in several colors), be easy to use (new liquid fuel called FANOLA® is smoke free, ash free and less harmful for the environment), and multitask (glass surround doubles as a coffee table). Ranging in price from $650 – $1350, Levy’s fireplaces are also, apparently, suitable for indoor and outdoor use but considering whether the glass table-top surround will hook onto your backpack for the hike up to the forest camp site, you’re better off leaving these fires burning indoors. All industry, with just a spark of nature.

So what to do with all this excitement until January 20th kicks in, you ask? How about take up a new hobby: knitting! With a nod to this week’s baggage theme, knitting gives you an outlet for mental anguish, physical excitement and visual pleasure – or material pleasure depending on how great your bag comes out. And Israel’s own 2KN knitting studio will show you how you can do it, yes you can. Founded by Billy Kimor and Miri Namer, strove to provide knitting fans – or bored individuals – with a hobby and habit to whittle away the hours productively. Located in the northern city of Haifa, 2KN sells materials and accessories and offers workshops, including a coffee clutch and knitting circle for women that apparently books up early, so, interetsed ladies, please register in advance.

And if you’re in the NY area, join 2KN founders at the Eldridge Road Knitting Salon in White Plains on November 20th to learn about how to knit their HoHashi clutch (featured above) while hearing about life in ISrael and knitting in Israel and munching on Israeli snacks. To learn more about this event and register in advance (and pay $65 for all related materials ), visit the Yarn Princess.