The Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, the first cultural institution of Israel and one of the most important art and design academies in the world, concluded its U.S. traveling exhibition, Bezalel on Tour, in New York at G91 Loft in Soho. The exhibition showcased an extensive and diverse range of work from the past five years by recent alumni and emerging artists of Bezalel.
Beginning in 2012 at the Maryland Institute College of Arts, the exhibition has traveled to Sotheby's in Chicago, the Maltz Museum for Jewish Heritage in Cleveland, the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts and Brown RISD Hillel in Providence, RI. The exhibition is made possible by the generosity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, the
David Berg Foundation, the Russell Berrie Foundation and Friends of Bezalel.
Highlights of the exhibition include the "Earthquake Proof Table," designed by student Arthur Brutter. The table, which provides a superior level of protection in the event of an earthquake, was recently admitted into the permanent design collection at the Museum of Modern Art. Other highlights include "Footprints," heat-formed plastic sneakers, Femme Fractal, a mold casted ceramic vase, various leather shoes with pressed studs made by sewing, stretching and gluing, entitled "Animal, Vegetable, Mineral" and A Smart, New Generation Walking Aid for Injured Dogs, made from plastic injection and laser-cut aluminum.
Curated by Muli Ben Sasson, head of Bezalel's department of Ceramics and Glass Design, the exhibition features over 100 objects, 2D animation and video installations representing all of Bezalel's eight undergraduate departments: fine art, photography, fashion & jewelry, industrial design, visual communications, architecture, screen based arts, ceramics & glass, and from Bezalel's graduate departments in fine art, design and urban design.
Notable alumni from Bezalel Academy include industrial designers Ron Arad and Ron Gilad, Moti Bodek, architect, and Yaacov Agam, sculptor and experimental artist. The school's new downtown campus, slated for completion in 201X and designed by Japan's SANAA (Sejima & Nishizawa and Associates), 2010 Pritzker prize winners, will host classrooms, studios, offices, two auditoriums, an operational area and various workshops, addressing Bezalel Academy's current needs for expansion and a more active social and cultural involvement in the city's life.
"This traveling exhibition offers viewers a unique sense of Bezalel's flourishing artistic and professional practices, as well as an exceptionally creative, colorful, and talented side of Israel. The opportunity to present Bezalel on Tour in the U.S., making New York its final stop during NYCxDesign, places the works in a global context while also emphasizing Bezalel's commitment to quality and innovation," said Professor Eva Illouz, President of Bezalel.
About Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design:
Established in 1906 by artist Boris Schatz, with the support of the founder of Modern Zionism, Theodor Herzi, Bezalel is Israel's leading academy of art and design, and one of the most prestigious in the world. As the first cultural institution of Israel, it has accumulated a historical depth that no other institution has and plays a major role in shaping the cultural identity of Israel.
The Bezalel experience is characterized by an interaction of tradition and ancient techniques with ever-changing, cutting-edge technologies across a broad and multi-faceted scope of artistic disciplines. Both the faculty and the student body are driven by a passion to create and by the meticulous attention to quality. These cornerstones, plus the Academy's commitment to fostering creativity and opportunity amongst all communities in Israel, have positioned Bezalel at the center of Israel's creative and artistic scene.
For more information about Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design visit:
bezalel.ac.il
.png)
.png)
