Top magazine showcases Israeli architects, designers, artists
Wallpaper*, one of the world’s most prominent design magazines, dedicates part of its January 2015 issue to Israel, focusing on a number of up-and-coming designers, as well as profiling leading architects.
Wallpaper* magazine is considered by some to be the world leading magazine for all things design, especially as far as architecture and style are concerned.
Thus it is no small event when it chooses to showcase not just Israelis, but Israel’s artistic scene, profiling well-established and world renowned architects, as well as budding designers and artists.
In a glitzy event held last Thursday at a swanky Tel Aviv loft, Wallpaper* brought together the elite of Israel’s design scene to launch "Israel Revealed," a supplement to their January 2015 issue which puts Israeli design in the limelight.
Partnering with Israel’s Ceaserstone - a high-end quartz surface maker with an eye on international markets - Wallpaper* profiled some Israel’s top architects and structures as well as young designers and artists from Tel Aviv.
One of the up-and-coming talents showcased by the magazine is Assaf Reeb, a fashion designer who trained in London’s Central St. Martins MA fashion program.
In the project selected by the magazine, the young Reeb mixes his own designs with the art work of his father, Israeli painter David Reeb, to create uniquely wearable but also extremely stylish button down shirts.
Reeb’s selection by the magazine signals a wider attempt to focus not just on specific works and designs, but rather on Israel’s growing cultural scene.
"We have always perceived Israel as a small country with great talent. The Israeli design scene has certainly matured and we hope we have been instrumental in exposing some of the best talents Israel can offer today," Tony Chambers, Wallpaper's editor-in-chief, said.
At the event, an excited Chambers praised Tel Aviv: "This is my first time here… I was a Tel Aviv virgin and I have already booked my next visit. Tel Aviv is the greatest city in the world right now… It's really having its moment."
Seven wonders
Featuring architects such as Asaf Gottesman ,Ilan Pivko, Irit Axelrod and Pitsou Kedem, the magazine highlighted growing trends in Israeli architecture, focusing on those intent to change it from within.
A deeper view of their selection reveal a distinct line of development, shifting from Bauhaus to brutalism to more fluid design structures, which take inspiration from one of the Jewish world’s most influential architects, Erich Mendelsohn, who merged modernistic architecture with expressionism and functionalism, and even designed structures in Israel.
According to the Magazine, "Architects around the world aspire to work in Israel because of its unique light and the palpable spiritualism that characterize it. No other country in the world is as rich with elegant, modern architecture as Israel is."
According to Wallpaper, the "seven architectural wonders of Israel" include: Tel Aviv Museum of Art’s new wing, designed by Preston, Scott, Cohen, Inc; the world renowned Design Museum Holon, which was designed by Ron Arad.
Dani Karavan's Monument to the Negev Brigade, which honors the conquest of Beer-Sheba and the accomplishments of the Palmach's Negev Brigade. Karavan's daughter, Tamar, is also featured in the magazine for her artistic work.
The Museum of Art in Ein Harod, which was designed in the 1930s by Shmuel Bickels and was one of the first art institutes in Israel.
The Weizmann House, which was designed by Erich Mendelsohn himself in the mid 30s for Israel's first president Chaim Weizmann.
The supplement as much as the event was made possible thanks to the cooperation with Caesarstone. Yossi Shiran, Caesarstone's CEO, said the company "is pioneering the global revolution in the kitchen top industry and has established itself as a premium brand of high quality and innovative products with strong design value."
Some of the company's designs were featured in the supplement, for example in showcasing the culinary creations of Israeli Chef Meir Adoni, who was asked to provide his personal interpretation to the marriage of visual design and flavor and create a 5-course meal on Caesarstone tops.
Adoni's design vision emphasizes colorfulness, textures and play in shapes and all of the platters which he used were selected from Caesarstone catalog.
"Caesarstone's design innovation has made the company the preferred choice of renowned designers and has given birth to engaging collaborations with them. These are the features that made Caesarstone a welcome guest of the world's leading design magazines. We take great pride in being recognized by Wallpaper Magazine in this way," the proud CEO said.
