A whirlwind tour

This past week, we had the chance to explore Israel’s vibrant design scene. Tatjana and I teamed up with Israel-born, Berlin-based designer Eyal Burstein, and our whirlwind trip included museum, school, and studio visits—as well as what some have called the country’s biggest snowstorm in 50 years!

We spent an incredible day in Jerusalem (as soon as the roads opened up post-snow), enjoying a special peek inside the Israel Museum’s fantastic design archive, a lunch date with members of the Bezalel Academy’s design department, and a lovely visit to the Old City.

Though the Israel Museum was still closed for the storm when we arrived, curator Osnat Sirkin led us past buckets collecting water from the snow-damaged roof through both the museum’s permanent collection and its amazing design archive. The archival collection ranges from furniture and industrial design to graphic design, and includes everything from old school typewriters, washing machines, and computers to midcentury classics by Eames and Wegner, as well as iconic contemporary pieces by the likes of Ron Arad and the Campana brothers. Its impressive graphic design collection spans Russian constructivism through to posters by Glaser and Sagmeister.

Milton Glasser

Then we were off to meet Haim Parnas, the head of Bezalel’s industrial design department, Ido Bruno, senior lecturer in the department, and artist Maya Muchawsky Parnas to learn more about the school’s design programs. Since Bezalel was also still closed for the storm, we met up for a feast of a lunch instead. The trio was incredibly interesting and welcoming; and the work being accomplished by Bezalel’s students is like nothing else in the world.

Haim Parnas and Ido Bruno from the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design.

Talking to artist Maya Muchawsky Parnas.

Yum!

We finished in the Old City, meandering through the alleyways and market stalls, enjoying the city’s character and history as well as some of the most beautiful and timeless views in the world.

More in-depth stories on the Israeli design scene coming soon, so stay posted!