November Art Guide - Jerusalem

Recommendations of what to see in the Jerusalem art scene by our local insider Jenna Romano. To learn about Oh So Arty tours in Jerusalem please click here.

I.

Exhibition: Lifescapes

Artist: Anna Ticho

Venue: Ticho House

Anna Ticho was a powerful figure in Jerusalem’s cultural scene in the 20th century, born in 1894 in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. She studied art from the age of 15 when her family lived in Vienna and her and her husband moved to Jerusalem in the beginning of the 20th century. Says Ticho of the moment she first stepped foot into Israel, “I was in love with this land at first sight. This love grew on me and to express it became the content of my and the expression of the spirit of Jerusalem.” This exhibition offers an opportunity to explore Ticho’s work and to deepen our understand of the change in it over time -- from small drawings of Israeli landscapes to large flower and the Jerusalem hills -- the artist worked in a variety of mediums including watercolor, charcoal, graphite and pastels.

Anna Ticho, Israeli, born in Moravia 1894-1980, Vase with Red and Yellow Gladioli, 1969 Watercolor and graphite on paper, 76x63 cm, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Anna Ticho Bequest

II.

Exhibition: Properties

Artists: Various Artists

Venue: Various Venues

The exhibition properties opens a dialogue about the history and present perception of the neighborhood Talbiya, a residential area in the city of Jerusalem. The neighborhood actually consists of many historical narratives which are not openly spoken about -- and the exhibition properties seeks to uncover contradictions and stories that eventually juxtapose the character of the neighborhood in the past with the mundanity of its existence now. Various art installations and videos will urge visitors to acknowledge and ask questions about these narratives.

Maya Attoun - ghost 2018

III.

Exhibition: Blinds

Artist: Yaara Oren

Venue: Jerusalem Artists House

Each year, a committee awards one Israeli painter the Osnat Mozes Painting Prize for a Young Artist. This year, the committee chose Tel Aviv based artists Yaara Oren, stating that the artists “has created an impressive, intense body of work which does not remain static. It constantly evolves, attesting to great talent.” Oren’s work in Blinds gives us abstract interpretations of the environment surrounding the artist, namely her neighborhood of residence in southern Tel Aviv, Shapira.

Yaara Oren, Shutter, 2017, oil on canvas

More about Oh So Arty in Jerusalem here.

October Art Guide - Jerusalem

October brings with it many new exhibitions and the last chance to see some great ones that are already on view in Jerusalem! Check out our Jerusalem insider, Jenna Romano's recommendations of what to see right now.

I.

Exhibition: Lifetime

Artist: Christian Boltanski

Venue: The Israel Museum

Dates: Until November 3rd

Israel Museum Lifetime  | Lifetime draws on Christian Boltanski’s oeuvre spanning thirty years, but the artist regards this exhibition as one artwork, a complete story composed of successive chapters: his early altar memorials to unknown people; large-scale installations addressing the subject of fate; and recent video works filmed in primal landscapes and charged with the power of myth. The journey through the exhibition proposes an itinerary that begins in darkness but leads to light, solace, and perhaps even the possibility of a new beginning.

II.

Exhibition: The Jerusalem Show IX

Artists: Various Artists

Venue: The Al’Mamal Foundation for Contemporary Art

Dates: Until October 31

The Jerusalem is an initiative of The Al’Mamal Foundation for Contemporary Art, organized in the old city, the event encompasses art exhibitions, performances, workshops, talks and film screenings. This year’s theme, Jerusalem Actual and Possible prompts curators and artists to use research in order to explore the history and present of Palestinian art in Jerusalem - mining collections, archives and institutions accessible from the city that will questions Jerusalem’s where, how and when.

III.

Exhibition: Manofim Contemporary Art Festival

Artist: Various Artists

Venue: Various Venues

Dates: October 23-27

For the tenth year, the Manofim festival brings together all of Jerusalem’s art world for one night. Notable events for this week include: a night of exhibition openings around the city (Manofim hires shuttles to take visitors through all neighborhoods of Jerusalem!), artist appointments where visitors spend 45 minutes one-on-one with local artists inside their studios (registration required), and a full day art conference (registration required). The festival’s main exhibition is titled Properties, and will be held in several buildings throughout the Talbiyeh neighborhood of Jerusalem - both private home and public buildings - where the exhibitions will introduce questions about the reexamination of each multi-faceted space whose residents may have come to see as mundane and banal.

For more information on Oh So Arty in Jerusalem please click here.

Berlin Art Week 2018

The seventh edition of Berlin Art Week is happening September 26th to the 30th. Oh So Arty local insiders Ariela Braunschweig and Constance van Berckel share what events to check out this year! To learn more about Oh So Arty in Berlin please click here.

OPENING AGNIESZKA POLSKA: THE DEMON'S BRAIN

Wednesday, September 26th, 8-11pm

Agnieszka Polska was the winner of the ninth Preis der Nationalgalerie in 2017. In her expansive video installation, Polska takes correspondence from feudal, fifteenth-century Poland as her point of departure to explore current ecological problems and economic development in terms of their religious and historical origins.

Agnieszka Polska. The Demon’s Brain, 2018. Multichannel video installation, film still
© Agnieszka Polska, Courtesy ŻAK | BRANICKA, Berlin and OVERDUIN & CO., LA

OPENING ART BERLIN

Thursday, September 27th, 4-8pm

Art Berlin announces its second edition, taking place from 27–30 September 2018. Around 120 galleries from 21 countries offer the international art world a comprehensive overview of contemporary positions while also showcasing works of Classic Modernism. The fair takes place for the first time in two hangars of the historical Tempelhof Airport, since its decommissioning becoming a central Berlin location for a variety of cultural activities. For a full list of lectures and openings click here.

Image by Tempelhof Projekt GmbH

PREVIEW ARTE LUCE WITH ART TOURS BERLIN

Friday, September 28th, 7pm-9pm

The work ‘Weisse Zeit’ by Thorbjørn Lausten (b. 1945) will be shown for the first time in over 28 years in the presence of the artist. This is a special preview for light art exhibition 'EXTENDED MIND' by Alice Hinrichs from ARTE LUCE, which will take place this November. Alice will give us an exclusive introduction talk about the show, and drinks will be served during the event as well!

Weisse Zeit by Thorbjørn Lausten © Arte Luce

STUDIO VISIT MAXIMILLIAN MAGNUS WITH ART TOURS BELIN

Saturday, September 29th, 2pm-4pm

We’ll visit artist Maximilian Magnus in his beautiful studio space in Charlottenburg.

"The world is my stage, both with regards to the every day as well as to grand gestures: large paintings, complex stage design, international collaboration or teaching at my school is just as much part of my multi-layered artistic work, as the interior design of my flat or the preparing of my meal – I create aesthetic composition in each and every aspect of my life.(...)" Maximilian Magnus

ART, YOGA & DRINKS WITH ART TOURS BELIN

Sunday, September 30th, 3pm-5pm

A special event curated by Art Tours Berlin (in collaboration with Anyyogi). This art tour starts with a unique Anyyogi class (for all levels) in a beautiful private home surrounded by the artworks of Beatriz Morales. The class will be taught by Natalie, the founder of Anyyogi. After the 45 minutes yoga class you are invited to see Valerie's private, collage-focused art space "The Curve" accompanied by a glass of white wine.

Dennis Busch in the Curve

To learn more about Oh So Arty in Berlin please click here

Warsaw Gallery Weekend Highlights

September is definitely a very intense season in the Warsaw art scene, especially because of Warsaw Gallery Weekend which happened September 21st to the 23rd.

Our Warsaw insider Zuzanna Zasacka broke down the best works she saw during Warsaw Gallery Weekend for you right here. Read her highlights and check out the galleries on a private art tour with Zuzanna in Warsaw.

1. Magadelena Karpińska‘s painted silk inspired by the 'Wonder Women' movie at The Polana Institute.

2. Olga Micińska sculptures arranged in a bathtub in a historic villa in The Polana Institute

3. Agata Kus paintings at Wizytująca Gallery

4. Dominika Kowynia paintings in Szara Gallery (a gallery from Katowice visiting Warsaw)

5. Ada Zielińska photos in a new gallery focused on digital art, Śmierć Człowieka

Learn more about Oh So Arty in Warsaw here!

72 Hours in Northern Israel

Oh So Arty was founded and is based in the coastal city of Tel Aviv. While we love our bustling seaside metropolis we decided to take a road trip to northern Israel to discover its arty offerings. Keep reading to hear how we spent 72 hours in the north of Israel and if you are planning a trip to Israel check out our tour options here!

The Elma

Our long weekend began at The Elma Arts Complex and Luxury Hotel in Zichron Ya’acov. The building is a converted sanatorium designed by architect Yaacov Rechter in 1968. In addition to being a state of the art luxury hotel the Elma offers a creative program including a 450-seat concert hall, the expansive Elstein galleries and more. Art is displayed throughout the complex from the lobby to the cafe and throughout the naturally lit hallways. The interdisciplinary cultural programming at the Elma has made it a world-class center for the arts.

The Elma. Works by Sigalit Landau.

The hotel also offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Carmel mountain range and an indoor and outdoor pool as well as a full spa - this is the ultimate place to relax and detox!

The pool at The Elma

We then travelled to the port city of Akko where the ancient and the contemporary mix perfectly to create an ideal city break destination. If you are visiting Akko a stay at the Efendi Hotel is an absolute must. It is made up of two ancient houses that have been painstakingly preserved and restored to provide a window back in time.

The Efendi Hotel

We enjoyed the comforts of a modern luxury hotel while immersed in history with views of the original city walls of Akko and the sea. Each room has a different style with unique details but all of them offer amazing views. We took in the breathtaking Akko sunset from the rooftop of the Efendi as we enjoyed aperitivo and good company.

Akko from the Efendi rooftop

When we finally tore ourselves away from the Efendi we headed to the famous Uri Buri restaurant for dinner. Founded by Uri Yirmias and located right next to the beach this restaurant serves up fresh seafood dishes with ample fine Israeli wine options.

Beautiful ancient architecture and artifacts fill the city of Akko however it also offers some contemporary art. Galil Gallery is a must for travellers interested in art or the modern side of this city. They offer a fresh program of contemporary art and are hosting an exhibition of work by Israeli artists Inbar Frim and Moran Kliger opening this October.

work by Moran Kliger, an Israeli artist with a show opening this October at Galil Gallery.

Savida is another culinary hot spot located in the old city of Akko. We stopped for lunch on our way down to Haifa and stuffed ourselves with their family style dishes. In Haifa, the Baha’i Gardens and World Center were our first destination. The beautiful gardens also known as the Hanging Gardens of Haifa are impossible to miss as you enter the city and their meticulously styled and maintained designs are a visual treat. We also recommend a trip to the Haifa Museum of Art, Israel’s third largest art museum, founded in 1951 in downtown Haifa and offering a vast collection of contemporary Israeli art.

Bahai Gardens, Haifa

Outside the city limits of Haifa and further North, are two unique art venues worth the trip! The Museum of Art Ein-Harod located on Kibbutz Ein-Harod was one of the first art museums to be founded in Israel in 1938. This historical landmark also has rich collections of Jewish art, Israeli art and Judaica. If you are looking for something more contemporary do not miss Umm al-Fahem Gallery an Israeli-Arab art gallery in Umm al-Fahem. Approximately forty minutes outside of Haifa this gallery founded in 1996 has become an important social and cultural meeting place to discover Arab and Palestinian art.

Museum of Art Ein Harod

Our sojourn to northern Israel inspired our team to create more immersive art tour experiences that last more than one day. Oh So Arty now offers Art Trips in Israel which will visit multiple regions including the surrounding areas of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. For more information and pricing please contact us at sarahpeguine@gmail.com

To read other ‘72 Hours In…’ articles please click here.