Jerusalem is heating up this time of the year, lucky for us, there are some really exciting art exhibitions to draw us into the delightfully air conditioned galleries. From an epic Ai WeiWei exhibit to reinventing venerable design concepts, to questioning our contemporary social culture - here is a list of recommendations that will keep you cultured and busy during your stay in Jerusalem!
I.
Exhibition title: Maybe, Maybe Not
Artist/s: Ai WeiWei
Venue: The Israel Museum
Dates: Until 20 October, 2017
Ai Wei Wei is an internationally renowned multimedia artist known for his powerful installations and exhibitions that are politically charged with the brave artist’s voice. Wei Wei’s works often result in dramatic exhibitions, and this highly anticipated one at The Israel Museum (Wei Wei’s first time exhibiting in Israel!) is no exception. “Maybe, Maybe Not” takes up almost the entire third floor of the Israel Museum and criticises human condition, begging the world to respond to the world’s injustices.
Exhibition view photo by Eli Posner
II.
Exhibition title: Repositioning
Artist/s: Various Artists
Venue: The Museum for Islamic Art
Dates: Until 30 November, 2017
Twelve artists were asked to choose an object from the permanent collection of The Museum for Islamic art and reinterpret for this stunning group exhibition. Featuring works from the plastic arts, design and video - each artists’ interpretation questions the value of each object and its importance - whether it is inherent, and whether its value changes once the artists fills it with his or her own interpretation and meaning.
Remy Tarif, "Significant Other" Photoby: Shay Son Ephraim
III.
Exhibition title: Shared Taxi
Artist/s: Malki Tesler
Venue: Barbur Gallery
Dates: Until 16 June, 2017
Tesler is a Tel Aviv based artist who works primarily with painting and video works. Although her exhibition will only be up for the first two weeks in June, I highly recommend having the chance to view the artist’s bold and comic approach. Tesler questions social boundaries and human condition vis-a-vis her childish introverted illustrations along with successfully crass videos where you view the artist interacting with the public in order to draw attention to mundane social situations.
Video still by Malki Tesler
HEADER IMAGE: View of “Maybe, Maybe Not” at The Israel Museum, photo by Elie Posner .