The unrelenting humidity of the Ra'anana summer nudged me to take a daytrip to Jerusalem. I longed to chill out in the airconditioned bus travelling to the dryer heat of the hills of Jerusalem, passing shady forests, and finally catching the glow of the Jerusalem skyline. The tour was to the newly revamped Israel Museum, Sculpture Garden and Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem.
It is always fun to meet up with other expatriat South Africans . You can sit next to a total stranger on a bus and end up with a 2nd cousin twice removed . Well that is what Jewish geography is about...connections. But I digress.
The original Israel Museum , built atop the Hill of Tranquility was inaugurated in 1965. It was designed by Architect Alfred Mansfeld with the interior designer Dora Gad . Mansfeld's plan was inspired by the modernists of the time. His concept was for a modular system of spaces with potential for expansion. Over the years the Museum grew but there was always a disconnect and fragmentation between the Entrance and various Exhibition halls. The newly revamped Israel Museum at a cost of some $100,000 million somehow solidifies the architecture, ambience, art and exihibits into a truly memorable experience.
A very interesting enclosed walkway Route of Passage bridging the Museum entrance with the Gallery Entrance has been built. At the end of the route of passage is an amazing rainbow installation by Olafur Eliasson "Whenever the Rainbow Appears".
From afar, the rainbow appears to be painted on one flat surface. As you get closer you see the 300 hand painted canvases each measuring 5 x 240 cm. extending
15 mtres with the spectrum of light visible to the human eye.
I love meandering around Art galleries and Sculpture Gardens and Museums. It always inspires creativity. My latest felted bag with silk inlays reeminds me somewhat of textiles used long long ago.
I recently stumbled upon a Decorative Art exhibition and was fascinated by an interesting shaped chair covered with musical notes. A kind of " Musical chair" It was the work of Anat Nitzan, Artist and Art Curator.
To Family, Friends and Followers
L'Shona Tova
May you all be Blessed with Love, Light and Joy for the New Year.
Elaine
