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CURRENT 
December 27, 2011A new annual $20,000 art prize for an Israeli artist was announced by Dr. Eugene Elovic and Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem. The prize, named in memory of self-taught Israeli-American artist, Ilana Elovic, will be awarded to an active Israeli painter in April 2012. For more information click here. October 14, 2011 Family of Bezalel founder donates $10,000 to the arts academy “The family of the founder of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem has donated $10,000 to the academy to be used for three full scholarships and a special prize to be awarded later this year. The family of Boris Shatz, who died in 1932 while fundraising on behalf of the Bezalel Academy, will be donating money to cover the tuition of three students as well as a prize for an outstanding project that focuses on community involvement. The Deane and Paul Shatz Prize for an Outstanding Project in the Field of Community Involvement will be presented at a ceremony during Hanukah for projects done last year. “We chose to partner with Bezalel as we saw an opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives while being part of the Schatz legacy,” said Paul Shatz. “We also felt it was something that our children would be inspired to continue when we’re no longer around.” Shatz, a retired stockbroker, said that the donation to Bezalel was a natural choice, and that their children and grandchildren are all involved in the arts in one way or another. “Our collaboration with Bezalel was a natural fit for us, Shatz said, adding, “the fact that there is already a Schatz connection to the Academy made it even more perfect and we look forward to a long association with Bezalel. But most importantly, we look forward to being able to help young, aspiring artists find their voice where they would otherwise have struggled.” Read Haaretz article here. September 26, 2011 Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Wins Best Animation School Showreel at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. Read more. September 25, 2011 The fifth annual London Design Medal has been awarded to the Israeli-born designer and architect Ron Arad. Arad studied at Jerusalem’s Bezalel Academy of Art and Design from 1971-1973 and then continued his architecture studies in London, where he settled. Read more. September 22, 2011 Bezalel Alumni and Faculty Win the 2011 Ministry of Culture Design Prize. Friends of Bezalel wishes to congratulate the following Bezalel Alumni and Faculty on winning the 2011 Ministry of Culture Design Prize. Multidisciplinary Design: Dror Ben Dov Graphic Design: Chava Modrokovitz, Gila Kaplan, Nirit Binyamini Product Design: Itay Noy Metal Work: Yael Friedman September 6, 2011 Japanese architecture firm, SANAA, in collaboration with the Israeli firm Nir Kutz Architects, has been chosen to design the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design's new campus in Jerusalem's city center. Bezalel Academy's Board of Directors has accepted the Search Committee's recommendation for the design of the new Bezalel campus in Jerusalem's Russian compound. The Search Committee chaired by Hertzel Habas, Chairman of the Board of Governors at Bezalel, included Professor Hanoch Gutfreund, a past president of Hebrew University; Architect Orna Angel, member of Bezalel's Board of Governors; Yuval Yasky, head of the Bezalel Academy’s Architecture Department; and Professor Arnon Zuckerman, President of the Bezalel Academy. The Search Committee made its recommendation to the Board of Directors for a collaboration of the Japanese architecture firm, SANAA (Sejima & Nishizawa and Associates) and the Israeli firm, Nir Kutz Architects. Read more. 
Bezalel Graduates Awarded PrestigiousFulbright Scholarships! Two graduates of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Yael Alkalay and Ronit Levin Delgado, have been chosen to represent Israel as Fellows of the Fulbright Master's Program for Israeli students. This is the first year that arts graduates from Israel have been chosen as Fulbright Fellows and the first year that there is a Master's Program. The US Government's Fulbright Program is one of the world's most prestigious and widely known academic exchange programs. This past year, 24 Israelis applied for Master's fellowships, and 12 were chosen to be interviewed. Only three Fulbright Fellowships were awarded: two to the Bezalel art graduates and one to a law student from Hebrew University. Read more. June 23, 2011 Six Bezalel Graduate Students Receive 2011 Israeli Ministry of Culture and Sport Young Artist Award Friends of Bezalel Academy of Arts And Design, Jerusalem congratulates the following graduate student on winning the 'Young Artist Award 2011': Tamar Harpaz, Avi Sabah, Gaby Krichli, Alona Ruda, Elham Rukni, Esther Sneider 
May 2011Jan Tichy awarded 2010 Nathan Gottesdiener Prize Suzanne Landau, judge for the Nathan Gottesdiener Prize, remarks on her selection of Jan Tichy: "In a relatively short time Jan Tichy has created a unified and coherent body of work. In his installations he makes use of fragile, delicate sculptural materials such as paper and porcelain in combination with complex projections of video films. The power of his work stems from a number of components: his preoccupation with light, which is closely connected with the history of art; his adaptation of the modernist grid and references to architecture; the way in which he treats paper, which is related to the Czech tradition of making paper models; his predilection for a restrained black-and-white palette; and his use of means of projection which draw from photography and turn it, in an ingenious way, into a 3-dimensional creation occurring in time. Indeed, time is a central component in Tichy’s work. It functions almost as a “material” with which Tichy plays, slowing it down, examining and investigating it, sometimes creating a meditative experience and sometimes generating tense anticipation on the part of the viewer. Yet Tichy’s work is also well-anchored in his own time and place from the point of view of the political space in which he works. In his refined way and minimalist language, he reacts, reveals, and criticizes mechanisms of control and command, deception and concealment.” May 2011 The Art Directors Club awarded Adi Stern, the Head of Visual Communications at Bezalel the Silver Award for Environmental Design for his work on the signage system at the Design Museum Holon. 
May 1, 2011Rebecca David, Architecture Student at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design won Second Place in the 13th Annual Berkeley Prize Essay Competition for “A Separate Place.” Read more. 
April 28, 2011Anat Costi's film "On My Doorstep" Nominated in the Cannes Film Festival Friends of Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Jerusalem congratulates Bezalel graduate Anat Costi on the nomination of her film, On My Doorstep, in the Cannes Film Festival 2011. 
Susanne Bier wins Academy AwardFriends of Bezalel congratulates former Bezalel student Danish director-writer Susanne Bier for receiving the Academy Award for best foreign-language film for “In a Better World.” 
Bezalel Academy Jerusalem Turns Israel Into Giant Art Gallery Bezalel Academy is turning the whole of Israel into an art gallery, from February 16th to 26th. This will be the largest outdoor exhibition ever in Israel. 1600 students from all eight of Bezalel's art and design departments will contribute one piece of artwork to the exhibition. Each piece of art is being reproduced on billboards and they will be distributed and displayed across the country. An online gallery on the Bezalel website will allow people to view all projects in their locations across Israel and will show the location of each project (city and street). The exhibition is being used as a way of raising awareness of the academy's work and driving registration for new students. It is the most ambitious and wide-ranging campaign that Bezalel has ever run, involving more faculty members and students than ever before. Like previous Bezalel campaigns, this one will also say: "Join the ranks of Bezalel graduates." Shirli Bar-Amotz wins Andy Prize for Contemporary Art The Academy congratulates its graduate and lecturer Shirli Bar-Amotz on winning the Andy Prize for Contemporary Art. Our grads have won 5 of the 6 Andy prizes over the past 6 years. Read “The Jewelery has become and Artist” in Haaretz for more information on Bar-Amotz’s career. Bezalel Designer Adi Stern gets Japanese Prize From The Jerusalem Post, December 17, 2010, by Barry Davis “Adi Stern, who was responsible for planning and designing the sign post system at the Museum of Design in Holon, has been awarded the prestigious Tokyo Type Director’s Club award, the first time the prize has been won by an Israeli artist. The Holon museum project was selected out of around 3,200 works considered by the club’s judges and will be exhibited at the Ginza Graphic Gallery in Tokyo, and subsequently in a gallery on Osaka, in April. The judges noted the unusual use Stern made of white directional arrows on a white background, and his creation of a new Hebrew font. Stern heads the Department of Visual Communication at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem.” Bezalel Graduates Awarded Prizes by the Tel Aviv Museum, November 25, 2010 The Bezalel Academy congratulates its graduates and lecturers who have been awarded prizes by the Tel Aviv Museum: Tamir Lichtenberg and Gili Avisar Isracard Prize Tamar Harpaz and Yael Efrati Shmuel Givon Prize for Arts Sharon Yaari Constantiner Prize for Photography Gabriel Klezmer Nata Dushnitzki-Kaplan Prize for Research, in memory of the painter, Nata Tamar Geter Pundick Foundation Prize for Israeli Art 
Tarazi Studio Celebrates the Inauguration of the first Solar field that feeds the grid with electricity and provides hot water to nearby community, October 19, 2010 Israel-based energy company ZenithSolar has broken records with its 3rd generation CHP solar energy generator (Solar Z20) that combines heat and power systems to create an incredible 72% solar conversion efficiency. According to Ezri Tarazi at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design and Head of Tarazi Studio, the generator has reached record levels by using a “semi-parabolic optical mirror for collecting solar energy” to power the local community’s electric and hot water use. For more information click here. September 2, 2010, Friends of Bezalel Congratulates…. Graduate and lecturer, Yossi Abulafia, who received an honorable mention in the 2010 Animax Festival. Michal Heiman, a lecturer in the Department of Visual Communications, for winning the Shpilman Prize for Excellence in Photography. Ofra Kobliner and Eli Ben-David, graduates of the Department of Screen-Based Arts, on winning in the category of Best Student Film in the Asif Competition with their final project, the film "With a Clear Mind.". Maya Tiberman, a graduate of the Department of Visual Communications, on placing second with her film "Marbles" in the International Film Festival for Children and Youth. The film also won the title of audience favorite. France to knight Michal Rovner and Etgar Keret July 12, 2010, Haaretz (By Maya Sela) Two Israelis, the artist Michal Rovner and the writer Etgar Keret, are among this year's recipients of the Chevalier (Knight ) medallion of France's Order of Arts and Letters. The French Minister of Culture and Communications published the list of award recipients ahead of France's national holiday, Bastille Day, celebrated on July 14. Winners are recognized for the quality of their work and the close ties they have forged with the French public. Annette Levy Willard, the cultural attache at the French embassy in Tel Aviv who congratulated the two, said they were "both artists with a deep commitment to a direct and demanding artistic language."… Michal Rovner is a photographer and video artist who has had great success abroad. A graduate of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, she is also co-founder of the Camera Obscura School of Art. Rovner has received international acclaim and gained wide exposure at the 2003 Venice Biennale. In 2005 the French national gallery, Jeu de Paumes, in Paris hosted a solo exhibition of her works; in 2009, her works were displayed in Paris as part of the "White Night" event. Rovner's pictures and installations place her creations "on the border" - both real and symbolic - between reality and imagination, between a still picture and a moving one, between a photograph and calligraphy and painting. She recently announced she would be designing the new album cover for the Israeli rock group, Knesiat Hasechel (The Church of Reason ). For more information click here. Bezalel filmmaker wins prize at 13th International Tel Aviv Student Film Festival June 13, 2010, By Hannah Brown, The Jerusalem Post The 13th International Tel Aviv Student Film Festival announced the winners of its competitions on Saturday night. In the International Category, the winners were Fine, Thanks, from Slovakia; Gisberta, from Germany; Echo, from Poland; Germ, from India; and Bingo, from Holland. Two Israeli films were also among the prizewinners in the International Competition: Guided Tour, by Binyanmin Friedenberg of the Sam Spiegel Film School, and True Love Hotel by Alon Gash of the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design. In the Israeli competition, the winners were Regila, by Asaf Saban of Beit Berel Film School, and Remember This, by Ilit Zechtzar of the Tel Aviv University Film School. The festival, which was run by the film students of Tel Aviv University and held mainly at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque, drew huge audiences. Read more. 
A philosopher to run Bezalel's arts programBy Ellie Armon Azoulay and Avital Burg Haaretz, June 7, 2010 "Dr. Raphael Zaguri-Orly has been chosen to head the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design's Master's in Fine Arts program, and will replace Prof. Nahum Tevet at the end of the academic year. Zaguri-Orly, a lecturer in the Master's program and in Philosophy in the academy's department of History and Theory since 2004, was elected ahead of well-known artists, several of whom teach in the department." Read more. Bezalel students to design new Teva packaging March 21, 2010 Teva Pharmaceuticals and the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem will join forces in a new venture that will see Bezalel students design the new Acamol Focus packaging for Teva…the students will compete and the winning design will become part of the pharmaceutical giant's brand artwork…Adi Stern, head of Bezalel’s Department of Visual Communication in Bezalel, added that the academy values its cooperation with the industry and "works with various bodies to develop new and innovative projects. Using Bezalel allows companies access to young, innovative and fresh designs." Read more. Bezalel graduate received a third place price in the Designboom international competition January 14, 2010 Bezalel congratulates Yoav Avinoam a graduate of the Industrial Design Department who received a third place prize in the Designboom International Competition out of 3131 projects.  A Gift of ArtworkBezalel Artwork presented to German Chancellor Angela Merkel by Israeli President Shimon Peres during his visit to Berlin for International Holocaust Day Bezalel Professor Vered Kaminski, Head of Jewelry and Accessories, designed a pin made of silver wire and Eilat stone for Chancellor Merkel. The gift was given to her during Shimon Peres' trip to Germany for International Holocaust Day in January 27, 2010. Additionally, Bezalel Professor Galya Rosenfeld of the Fashion and Jewlery Department designed a hexagonal modular textile work that will be displayed in the German Bundestag. Both creators were asked by the President to design gifts that would incorporate themes related to Israel. Image Credit: Brooch designed by Bezalel Professor Vered Kaminski for German Chancellor Angela Merkel  GALA 2010 HONORING DONNA KARANThis year's gala was held at the Urban Zen Center at the Stephan Weiss Studio on January 28th, 2010. Clothing, shoes and jewelry designed by Bezalel students and alumni adorned the walls in an exquisite display. The Mayor of Jerusalem, the Honorable Nir Barkat, welcomed guests via video message. The evening's Emcee was Amichai Lau-Lavie, Executive Director of Storahtelling, who explored the connection between the biblical character Bezalel, the first artist of the Jewish people, and today's thriving art school on Mt. Scopus. A highlight of the evening was when Bezalel fashion design student Maayan Hod spoke about Bezalel's importance to her as an aspiring artist. Maayan discussed the academy's role in the lives of its students and the school's relevance in Israel and around the world. The evening's honoree Donna Karan was introduced by Nir Hod who is a young Bezalel alumnus and a widely exhibited painter. The t-shirts and wine bottles that were given to guests at the end of the evening featured Nir Hod's "Butterflies" image. Ilan Kaufthal, Friends of Bezalel Chairman, presented Donna Karan with a menorah designed by Ezri Tarazi, head of Bezalel's Industrial Design Department. The Board and Administration of Friends of Bezalel would like to thank all guests and contributors to the Friends of Bezalel Gala for an interesting and successful evening in support of Bezalel Academy. View gala photos. Image Credit: Friends of Bezalel Chairman Ilan Kaufthal and Honoree Donna Karan ©2010 Stephanie Badini  BLANCHE AND ROMIE SHAPIRO, FOUNDERS OF THE FRIENDS OF BEZALEL, TURN 100On July 23, 2009, the Hon. Nir Barkat, Mayor of Jerusalem joined the Friends of Bezalel in honoring Blanche and Romie Shapiro, the Founders of the Friends of Bezalel, on the occasion of their 100th Birthdays. Mayor Barkat presented the Shapiros with the following proclamation. Dear Blanche and Romie, In honor of your 100th birthdays the city of Jerusalem extends its deepest appreciation for your decades of support to the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. Your leadership has ensured Bezalel's special standing as Israel's top art and design academy. Your generosity has contributed to Jerusalem's status as a center of creativity, art and culture. Your commitment to Bezalel will enable the revitalization of Jerusalem's city center, enhancing it as an inspiration for Israel and for artists throughout the world. Your tireless guidance of American Friends of Bezalel is an example to all those who see dedication to Jewish continuity, the arts, Jerusalem and Israel as a priority. For over a century, Bezalel has been a very special feature of the landscape of Jerusalem. The city of Jerusalem salutes you for all of your accomplishments. Mazal Tov on your 100th birthdays and I say with special meaning: Until 120. Nir Barkat Mayor of Jerusalem The Friends of Bezalel warmly wishes Blanche and Romie Shapiro continued health and happiness on this momentous occasion and salutes the Shapiros for their enduring support and dedication to Israel’s foremost art academy. FRIENDS OF BEZALEL WELCOMES REBECCA TOBIN We are delighted to inform you that Rebecca Tobin is joining Friends of Bezalel as its new Executive Director on August 17, 2009. For five years prior to joining Friends of Bezalel, Rebecca was a Research Fellow at the Hudson Institute specializing in human rights and discrimination against Israel at the United Nations. She was also the Assistant Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust from 2006-2009. Both positions included fundraising, event planning and creating and implementing media strategies. Before joining the Hudson Institute, Rebecca interned at the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships, as well as at the Anti-Defamation League. She holds a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Cornell University. This autumn, you will be invited to a cocktail reception at the new Bezalel office, 370 Lexington Ave. to meet Rebecca and to hear about our upcoming programs. In the meantime, please join us in welcoming Rebecca to the Friends of Bezalel family. DERFNER JUDAICA MUSEUM A new Judaica Museum opens in Riverdale. On display are 250 ritual objects from communities around the world. The first section is “Bezalel.” Check out the article in The Jewish Daily Forward. MICHAL ROVNER Veranda, August 2009 Be sure to check out the article on interior designer and contemporary art collector, Vicente Wolf, in the August issue of Veranda. A Michal Rovner photograph hangs on the wall in his Manhattan apartment. Download the Bank Job article. BEZALEL SUMMER PROGRAM Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Jerusalem is excited to announce the establishment of a new summer program in photography for international students. During the summer of 2009 we will be offering two different month-long credit awarding workshops in our campus in Jerusalem, Israel. The two workshops are designed for artists, photographers, and advanced students who have completed at least two years of photography training. Students in the workshops will be able to construct and execute projects spanning the myriad of subjects that Israel has to offer. The two workshops will host guest lectures by leading figures in the Israeli arena and will provide for the theoretical background of the students' work. For more information please contact: Maya Fridman mayaf@bezalel.ac.il 972.2.5893358 GILAD RATMAN Gilad Ratman, graduate of Bezalel's Fine Art department is now graduating from Columbia's MFA program. The premiere of his graduate work will be on exhibit at the Braverman Gallery in the Columbia University graduate exhibition.  MAYA VINITSKYBe sure to visit Bezalel Industrial Design graduate, Maya Vinitsky’s Squeeze Cup at the Museum of Arts and Design. Squeeze Cup is one of 200 pieces in the exhibition "Object Factory: The Art of Industrial Ceramics" which focuses on the reinvention of normal, daily objects. The exhibit is on view through September 13th. Image Credit: Ceramic, 3.12 x 4.31 x 3.56 inches GRADUATE NEWS We are proud to announce that the following fourth year students have been accepted to prestigious MFA programs next year: Columbia University Guy Ben Ari Daniel Havif Ariel Shlesinger School of Visual Arts (SVA) Sharona Eliassaf Goldsmiths, University of London Noam Edri University of Glasgow Elad Rosen |
