'Braintoons' exhibit comes to Tel Aviv
Exhibition features 20 thematic brain caricatures displayed on large banners, co-developed by Israel's top brain scientists, cartoonists
The exhibition will be presented until August 8 at Mitcham Hatachana, the old Tel Aviv Train Station, before moving to the Tel Aviv Cinematheque from August 9-13.
To create the exhibition, Prof. Eilon Vaadia, director of the Hebrew University’s Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), introduced the country’s top cartoonists to advanced brain research taking place at the Hebrew University.
Vaadia explained how the brain can be examined using innovative research approaches – from the micro level of a single gene to the macro level of behavior and cognition – in an era when supercomputers can simulate its various activities through mathematical and physical models.
Established just four years ago, ELSC is a multi-disciplinary environment in which theorists, computer scientists, cognitive psychologists and biologists all work toward the same goals.
ELSC researchers like Vaadia see educating the public as part of their mission, since brain disease has a huge impact on public health, and creating awareness is essential to ensuring people benefit from the latest research.
According to Hebrew University's curator Michal Mor, "Each cartoonist took the lecture he heard about the human brain and translated it into a colorful and unique product. Through lines, color, and touches of exaggeration and humor, the cartoonists sketched their interpretations of the wonders of the brain.
The result is a collection of distinct creations, including comic strips and individual caricatures."
Mor curated the exhibition with Nissim “Nusko” Hezkiyahu, one of Israel's most famous cartoonists and director of the Animix Cartoon Festival. Nusko recruited to the cause the country’s best animators and cartoonists, including Michel Kichka, Shlomo Cohen, Uri Fink, Itamar Daube and others.
A sample of braintoons from the exhibit can be seen online at http://bit.ly/braintoons .
