City Notes: Arts of the Mediterranean

Mediterranean Biennale features works from more than a dozen countries

By ARIANE MANDELL
The Jerusalem Dance Theater presents ‘When I Grow Up to Be Small.’ (photo credit: OLIVER MILLER)
The Jerusalem Dance Theater presents ‘When I Grow Up to Be Small.’
(photo credit: OLIVER MILLER)
NORTH
There are just a few weeks left to check out the unique and at times controversial art festival, the Mediterranean Biennale, in the northern town of Sakhnin. The sprawling series of installations and exhibitions features work from more than 60 artists from more than 15 countries.
A huge variety of artworks is displayed in a range of locations across Sakhnin and neighboring towns, including in local restaurants, mosques, public areas, museums and even car garages.
Although the festival features works by both Arab and Jewish artists, it has faced controversy when several international Arab artists demanded their work be pulled from display, saying they would never allow their art to be shown in Israel. This is despite the festival’s stated goal “to bring a new approach to the region by means of artistic activities in the hope of creating the basis for a dialogue between people and coexistence between communities living in conflict, as well as promoting education for peace, tolerance and non-violence through cooperation based on equality and reciprocity.”
For a map of all the locations where you can see the art and more information on the themes and goals of the collection: http://www.mediterraneanbiennale.com/en/index.html and https://www.facebook.com/mediterranean.biennale or call (04) 823-5789. The festival ends on December 15.
CENTRAL
Remembering the Holocaust through dance
The Jerusalem Dance Theater is marking 75 years since the death of Janusz Korczak, the beloved Jewish educator who refused opportunities to leave Warsaw and accompanied the children at the orphanage he ran to Treblinka, where they were all murdered.
The one-time performance, titled When I Grow Up to Be Small, is a mix of dance and theater and draws its inspiration from Korczak’s writings, including diary entries and short stories. The show invites Holocaust survivors and students who are going to Poland this year on educational trips to attend the show free of charge.
November 14, 8:30 p.m. at Jerusalem’s Gerard Behar Center, 11 Bezalel Street. Recommended for teenagers and adults. Admission NIS 60 for the general public. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 02-6795626.
Welcoming olim to the start-up nation
As part of their month-long celebration of aliya, the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality presents a lecture by Saul Singer, co-author with Dan Senor of the worldwide best-seller Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle. Singer will give a talk on “The Great Reinventions: Health, Education and Cities.”
November 14 at WeWork HaZerem, 7 Hapelech Street, Tel Aviv. Admission is free, but seats may be reserved by emailing reinach_j@tel-aviv.gov.il. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/Olim.Tel.Aviv/.
Illustration extravaganza
The art of illustration is taking over Jaffa next week, from November 16 to 25. More than 50 artists from around the world as well as Israelis will show off their works in the alleyways of the port’s Old City through special light boxes that provide a unique viewing experience, 24 hours a day for free to anyone who wishes to explore art through Jaffa’s twisting stone passages. There will also be sculpture installations, walking tours, and a variety of workshops open to the public.
For a full schedule of events: www.oldjaffa.co.il or www.illustrationweek.co.il.
SOUTH
Fall festivals
Ax Records presents the second Garzen Festival today and tomorrow at the Khan Nahal Arava campgrounds.
The label’s entire musical family will gather for a psychedelic desert experience, with a lineup including Ivan Smagghe, the Red Axes, the Crotches, Deaf Chonky, Autarkic, the Turbans, and many more. In addition, Assaf Amdursky, Yoshi Wasse and a host of others will grace the special selections stage.
The festival begins at 2 p.m. today, and ends at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The campground features bathrooms, showers, a vegetarian kitchen, a bar, and festival goers can reserve a spot in a communal tent or camp on their own. Admission limited to 18+. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance at https://www.eventer.co.il/ garzenfestival2. No tickets will be sold at the festival. For information: garzenrec@gmail.com.


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jerusalem theater