Come holiday season, shit gets a little out of control round the blogosphere with everyone the world over making holiday decorations for their homes or for gifts. Although crafts for Chanukah seem to be improving every year, I find many of them dated in style, too blue or Magen David/ star-heavy. That’s why I was psyched to find this project from Creative Jewish Mom. Not only does Sara have some great, modern crafts for Chanukah, she also has a great deal of kid-friendly projects. So I set up the toilet paper rolls on our table, along with the tissue paper and some metallic paint thrown in for good measure, and somehow things started to take a decidedly, creatively different turn…

Introducing: The Chanukah Candle Mobile! (Yay!)

These eight ‘candles’ or painted toilet paper rolls are hanging in my stairwell (from the stair rail you can see in the photo at the bottom). Since the stairs get the most light and are breezy-central with everyone walking through them, the candles sparkle as they float around. Plus, they bring surprise holiday cheer as you walk down to the living room/ kitchen where all the Chanukah and family celebrations take place.

It was easy and fun, for kids of all ages, and to prove it, here’s how we did it.

You will need:
8 toilet paper rolls
1 paper towel roll (for the taller Shamash or lead candle – we didn’t do this part)
Metallic paints (gold, silver, bronze, copper… you get the picture) glitter paints in colors would work just as well
Tissue papers in flame colors (red, orange, yellow)
Metallic pipe cleaners
Fishing wire
Glue
Scissor

Step 1:

Paint your toilet paper rolls with the metallic (or glitter) paints. Feel free to be creative here, amping up the sparkle effect with glue and glitter, stickers (neon or shiny), sequins, fabrics…

Step 2:

Cut out flame shapes from your tissue paper. Vary the size per color for added flame likeness.
Glue tissue papers onto the inside of the toilet paper roll for fire effect. Let dry.

Step 3:

Using the edge of your scissor (this part’s for adults), poke two holes through the toilet paper roll, mindful of the tissue paper.
Insert the metallic pipe cleaners through the two holes, meet them together on top, forming a flame-top shape, and twist together to close. (The pipe cleaners give you something stable and central to tie the fishing wire onto and hang the candle from.)

Step 4:
Repeat above steps to create 8 candles, one for each night of Chanukah.
To create a taller shamash, or lead candle, repeat the above steps with a longer paper towel roll.

Step 5:

Tie fishing wire to the top of pipe cleaner flames and hang from your desired place (ceiling, window pane, chandelier, hooks…) I used the stair rail which you can see at the top of the photo.

With 6 more nights left to celebrate Chanukah – and holiday vacation with the kids ahead – it’s not too late to decorate your house with this easy and fun Chanukah mobile. Happy crafting! Happy holidays! and Happy Chanukah to all!

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

Sustainable design is popping up all over Israel, and we’ve tried to cover as many of these designers as possible. Our survey of ten sustainable Israeli designers who reduce, reuse, and recycle covers tons of green, innovative, and aesthetic projects ranging from rubber tire handbags (that are surprisingly chic) to old suitcases-turned-shelving units.

So we were very happy to find out about a Sustainable Design Seminar starting at the Israeli Design Center in Holon next week, because that means that not only is the trend continuing, but it’s hitting the mainstream as well.

The five session seminar, led by Adital Ella (photographed above) and Yair Engel, both of whom are sustainable designers and experts in the field of sustainable design and industry, begins Tuesday June 9th, and is intended for designers, students, and those interested in the field of sustainability. Topics include: a history of Sustainable Design, related materials and approaches and a screening of the recent film, Addicted to Plastic (see trailer below).

More about the seminar here.
And for more on green initiatives and news from the Middle East check out Green Prophet

Photos of Steven Wiltshire’s finished drawing of Jerusalem – including a few words from the artist himself on the experience – have been posted, by yours truly, over at Jerusalemite – The Jerusalem Culture Guide. I’ll be posting at Jerusalemite on art and culture in the Holy City but, don’t worry, dear readers, you’re still first on my must-tell list.

In fact, for those of you who have stuck out my intermittent posting this past month, I’d like to make it up to you. I’m thinking next week will be a payback week with two – count ‘em two – posts per day. This way I’ll repay all you who came to Designist only to discover, much to your dismay, that I still hadn’t posted anything new. So, in my two-fer IOU payback plan, one post will be new and current and the other will come from my (huge) pile of things I meant to write about, half started or left as a draft over the past few weeks. It should be fun – almost like time traveling, but with style. Looking forward to seeing you twice daily next week!

1948-58:

Tel Aviv’s distinctive Bauhaus style reflects a strong tradition of art and craft that was brought over from Europe. But the slight alterations – replacing windows with balconies and increasing shaded areas through added cornices – account for the Middle Eastern climate thereby introducing an Israeli element to an International Style. Or perhaps recreating an older aesthetic within a new, Israeli style of living. In 2003, Tel Aviv is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and renamed the “White City“.

1959-68:

Don’t let these bathing beauties distract you from the real excitement of the decade: Gottex. Founded in 1949 by Leah and Ermine Gottleib, Jewish immigrants from Hungary, as a raincoat company, they turned a quick 180 degrees toward the Mediterranean sun – in recognition of our more defining climate. With Gottex’s revolutionary introduction of Spandex (yes, you can blame Israel for that one), bathing suits became lighter and clingier, allowing for Gottex to pioneer two significant swimwear crazes. First, as hemlines rose in the swinging 60s, bathing suits hiked in all directions – thanks to the miracles of Spandex and other light fabrics developed by Gottex. Second, and this relates to later decades of partying and excess as well, Gottex put glamour and fashion onto the beach. And with Gottex the concept of luxury swimwear was born and bred.

1969-78:

If you thought many of Israel’s corporate logos, symbols, posters or advertisements had something in common, you were right. They were either designed or influenced by Israeli graphic artist extraordinaire Dan Reisinger. Born in Yugoslavia in 1934, Reisinger’s talents were quickly identified and he was sent to study at Jerusalem’s prestigious Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. Reisinger’s prolific career has enjoyed incredible hometown and international success. He has designed more than 200 social, political and cultural images and posters in Israel, including 150 logos that have become part and parcel of our everyday living. Together they serve as a visual timeline marking Israel’s most significant historical, social, economic and cultural developments over the decades. In 1971-76, Reisinger designed what we have all come to know and love (or loathe) in the form of ElAl’s corporate logo – the slanted letters, mixed Hebrew and English, blue and white. Above is a destination poster to travel with ElAl which was part of a series from 1968-71. The graphic, abstract and modern-meets-traditional, almost nostalgic but contemporary, aesthetic of Reisinger’s work continues to influence.

1979-1988:

Just like disco its moves and grooves, so too, in a way, did the artwork of Yaakov Agam. And as the excessive and hyperextended 80s took over, Agam’s kinetic, geometric and highly colorful, conceptual art found its place in the middle of Tel Aviv’s bustling metropolis. In the form of a rotating sound and light water fountain that, along with the angular blocks of color – that really change as you look at them from different angles, represent the elements of Water and Fire. Agam’s experiments with optical, kinetic and experiential art left an indelible imprint on our canon. In this case, the spectacle placed within and about Tel Aviv’s most important crosswalk shows the city gaining a self-awareness – or perhaps a self-imposed importance – of its position as the (cultural) center of the country.

1989-1998:

I can’t say enough about Ron Arad. I love, love, love him. He’s an incredible designer. World renown. Amazingly innovative and challenging at the same time. And from Israel. In 1989, Arad’s rapidly increasing fame and reputation for chair and furniture design led him to establish Ron Arad Associates in London. In 1994, again owing to growing success, he added a studio workshop in Italy to increase production of his studio pieces. Seating and shelvingare just some of his more famous designs that are currently either on view at major museums around the world or on sale for respectable (read: incredibly high) prices at prestigious auction houses. But with design gaining mass popularity and media attention these days, its the talent that makes Ron Arad a household name – not just the pricetag.

1999-2008 and beyond:

The Israeli Design Center in Holon where the past, present and future come together and forge ahead. Both the culmination of years of amazing art and design efforts from Israel and the (final) destination for future ones. Designed by none other than Ron Arad, the Museum’s voluminous shapes take on larger-than life presence as it guides the visitor’s experience both inside and out through a range of spirals, swirls and enveloping colored building materials (steel, concrete, stone, glass, etc). Obviously an amazing homage to Arad’s own legacy – since the works to be displayed inside the museum were undoubtedly influenced by him. Headed by Dr. Razi Amiatay, in consultation with Professor Ezri Tarazi, a celebrated designer, teacher and arts advocate in his own right, the Israeli Design Center has been gaining speed and prominence both locally and internationally with a great website (albeit in Hebrew only for now), events and conferences welcoming prominent figures from abroad, and a burgeoning student and independent artists and designers community. It is literally and figuratively the space to watch for our art and design future.

The above post was created specially for 60bloggers.com where 60 bloggers celebrate 60 years of Israel with 60 days of posts on Zionism to politics and everything in between.

“The Human Camera” has landed in Jerusalem. Or at least, he has circled above it and surveyed our holy streets. Sounds like something straight out of Marvel comics, but this is real life. A real man. An accomplished artist. And an extraordinary talent – or, dare I say, power.

Internationally renown British cityscape illustrator Stephen Wiltshire has come to cast his eye and hand across the city of Jerusalem in honor of its 40th anniversary of reunification. Wiltshire has garnered much critical attention for his large-scale, hand-drawn replicas of such congested cities as London, New York, Tokyo and Rome, because he recreates the cities – down to their very last street corner – after surveying the areas from a helicopter for just an hour or two. If you don’t believe me, check out this amazing video on YouTube showing Wiltshire’s artistic practice in action in Rome. The exact duplicate of the Colosseum – and I mean exact – is just incredible.

Identified at age three as autistic, Wiltshire’s creative and developmental outlet was quickly recognized through his complicated and realistic drawings of scenes and objects ranging from animals to London’s buses to buildings. Yeah, I didn’t mention the autism factor until paragraph three, and Queen Elizabeth II didn’t do so at all two years ago when she dubbed Wiltshire a Member of the Order of the British Empire, in recognition of his services to the art world.

Wiltshire’s first word, at age eight, was “paper,” and ever since then, he’s been producing artwork that has been featured in documentaries, galleries, exhibitions and books around the globe. In addition to demonstrating his amazing abilities in cities across the globe, Wiltshire also promotes autistic research and awareness and runs creative workshops for children with autism.

Having landed in Israel this past Sunday, Wiltshire spent one hour flying over Jerusalem and studying our sacred city. He will spend the next few days recreating the city from memory on a four-meter-long canvas – and I’m pretty darn sure he’ll have all the right stones in their ancient quarters. The finished masterpiece will be auctioned off with a portion of the proceeds going to support child education and autism research in Israel. Wiltshire will also lead art activities for children with autism at two schools in Jerusalem during his four-day visit.

Above, Stephen Wiltshire draws Tokyo as part of a BBC documentary on his artwork and creative process called Extraordinary People: The Human Camera.

{ Featured on Jerusalemite – The Jerusalem Culture Guide }

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.

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 Bridge of Strings introduce some new and modern sights snd sounds to the city’s ancient history?

Despite construction delays, Calatrava’s Bridge of Strings 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. And I have to write that this photograph was provided exclusively by Harry. And with many thanks for and acknowledgment of his talent.

UPDATE June 26, 2008: Check out the great photographs of Jerusalem’s June 25th dedication ceremony of the Bridge of Strings – including views of the dashing Calatrava himself – from Jerusalemite.

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.