Exiting the train station at Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv, I was literally overwhelmed to find this new art work.
Overwhelmed because these figures are A LOT taller than me!
At the Facebook page "Bronze Sculptures in front of Azrieli Towers" you can see photos which include people, to get the scale of it all.
Inspired by The Burghers of Calias!?
But I'll let you read the Programa 1 Design Studio's description, in their own quaint translationese:
The Zionist Journey - Environmental Statue
Inspired by the statue of Auguste Rodin: "The Burghers of Calais," the initiator David Azrieli asked us to create a statue that expresses milestones in the Zionist Journey.
We chose seven figures, each one depicts and represents a period and a discipline in the history of the nation's building, since the 1920's and until these days:
The period of settlement and Aliyah is represented by the Halotz,
The Independence War- by a Palmach fighter,
the development of the public health sector – a nurse,
the evolution of science and research – the scientist,
the building drive- an architect,
the develop of the Hi-Tech industry- a computer specialist,
The financial evolution – a nowadays businesswoman.
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The sculpture work was created by a staff of talented artists led by Henry Betzalel and made in the A.A. Tavnit Vetezuga workshops.
Its name in Hebrew: HaMasa HaZioni
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It's quite vivid work. I am very familiar with Rodin's work on that series of sculptures, particularly the one that's in the Israel Museum's art garden.
ReplyDeleteWilliam, see
ReplyDeletehttp://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.co.il/2012/11/rodin-in-israel.html
I really like the group of statues, but I can't see how it can relate to The Burghers of Calais, who presented themselves humbly to the victorious king of England to spare the lives of their fellow citizens. It is a group, but the analogy ends there: it is indeed a great allegoric portrait of the history of Israel.
ReplyDeleteHi VP, I knew this post's title would grab you attention. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with your point. Well, not sure that billionaire David Azrieli knew the history behind the Burghers of Calais, since he was too busy to read your blog probably.
BTW, he died in July at age 92.
how wonderful! thank you for showing this!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reposting the older link, Dina!
ReplyDeleteA worthy dialogue with Rodin! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteL'Shana Tova
ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>
What a great name for an artist - Bezalel. Bezalel was absolutely my favourite art school in Israel, at least in the early decades!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what Henry's surname was, before he took on a Hebrew name.
Helen, I found this at his website:
ReplyDelete"Henry Betzalel Zafir was attracted to art from early age. He got support and encouragement from his parents, eventhoug they wanted him to be a doctor, because they understood this is his destination.
It is interesting that they chose for him the name Betzalel which witness the correlation to art' as written in the bible (Exodus, chapter 35, 1-5), and manifested itself in the direction he chose.
He gained his artistic education in the academy of St, Petersburg in the years 1980-1981, in the School of Art in Riga 1982-1984, and in 1991 received his degree from the Academy of sculpture in Tbilisi, where he studied between the years 1984-1989."
http://henry-betzalel.com/biography
Looks so real.. And very similar to one of those street performers who sprays himself with paint and just stand there silent. I have seen them in Oslo
ReplyDeleteI like this wonderful art work, very realistic.
ReplyDeleteAs I said, I like it very much!
ReplyDeleteGee... I don't know, Dina.
ReplyDelete