Jessica Steinberg covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center.
A work by Israeli photographer Angelica Sher, to be shown at the Mediterranean Biennale, opening April 6, 2021 (Courtesy Angelica Sher)
It has been nearly four years since the last Mediterranean Biennale was held, and organizers of the show have spent the last two of those years on the uphill task of trying to convince artists from Arab countries and elsewhere to overcome their qualms and participate in the Israeli event.
The fourth iteration of the biennale, which opens April 6 and despite its name does not occur every two years due to budget issues, is titled “Living Together Crossing Borders,” and aims to create dialogue and a new network of connections between artists from countries in the region. Organizers had hoped newly normalized ties with some Arab states would help remove qualms for artists skittish about showing their work in Israel, though it did not quite work out that way.
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Jessica Steinberg covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center. The Hotdog Man and the Thief of Distances, sculptures by Halil Balabin, 31, and Merav Kamal, 30 acquired in 2020 by the Israel Museum (Courtesy Noam Frisman)
The Israel Museum was only open for short periods over the last year, but it’s still purchasing new art.
The Jerusalem institution was granted NIS 625,000 (around $190,000) to purchase 24 works from eight Israeli artists, mostly for its contemporary art collection.
The money was raised by the museum’s Here & Now Acquisitions Committee, made up of Israeli museum supporters and laypeople. In the decade since the committee was formed, they have acquired more than 170 artworks from some 95 artists for NIS 8 million ($2.4 million).
מהידיים של פינה באוש ועד איש נקניקיות: מה חדש במוזיאון ישראל ynet.co.il - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ynet.co.il Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.