A WORD FROM THE CURATOR
Art Up Nation: Contemporary Israeli Art in NYC
Art-Up Nation is an exhibition that is both a celebration and a statement. Showcasing the contemporary, vibrant, and resilient art scene in Israel, the exhibition brings over 65 artists and more than 200 artworks to New York City.
October 7th was and still is the most harrowing event that has ever been experienced by Israelis. First and foremost, in terms of national trauma and the struggle for survival. But it also had a secondary effect of shaking the foundations and priorities of Israelis, both as individuals and as a society, raising questions about community, creativity, relations with the world, and more.
After the initial few weeks of operating solely in “survival mode”, the Israeli art scene began to raise its head and ask itself: What can art do in such a crisis? Does art have a role? Can art help? Can art heal? Throughout history, art has always played an active role in the healing process. The same is true for our small, broken, bleeding country in the wake of October 7th and for Israeli artists, some are victims of terror and others have been displaced from their homes and studios.
Art has also been a dominant force in the civilian response to the hostage situation. For example, two Israeli artists, Dede Bandaid and Nitzan Mintz, adopted the American ‘missing person’ format to raise global awareness for Israel’s hostages. This highly effective visual campaign, that began in New York City, soon expanded all over the world, continuing to this day.
Art Up Nation serves as a vital window to the rich and diverse art scene in Israel, a scene infused with great talent, creativity, originality, and energy. This platform allows Israeli artists to express their voices and visions during one of the most challenging periods in Israel’s history. This exhibition not only showcases the artists’ exceptional talent, but also stands as a testament to their enduring strength.
The exhibition features a large painting installation by Iddo Markus, composed of over 150 intricately painted wood pieces, forming a visual symphony. Another highlight is a site-specific video installation by Ronen Sharabani, a leading artist whose work pushes the boundaries of digital expression. An additional highlight is a glimpse of the monumental project ‘The Israel Trail’ by Ayelet Carmi and Meirav Heiman, now on exhibition at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
We invite you to immerse yourself in this unveiling of contemporary Israeli art, observing not just the beauty and depth of the works, but also engaging with the diverse narratives of the artworks and the stories of the artists behind them.
Keren Bar-Gil
Keren Bar-Gil
A leading independent curator and art consultant. She recently opened a unique gallery space in Ramat Hasharon, Israel, where she exhibits solo and group shows. After graduating with a degree in law from Tel Aviv University and working as a lawyer for several years, Bar-Gil studied art history at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.
Bar-Gil produces eight projects every year in various spaces. Her flagship project is the Salon, where over 100 works by various artists are displayed. Bar-Gil represents American photographer Spencer Tunick in Israel, and was the co-producer of his renowned mass photo shoot at the Dead Sea.
Eight years ago, Bar-Gil founded and sponsored the Keshet Award, in collaboration with the Herzliya Museum of Art, in which a promising artist is given a solo show curated by a leading international curator.
For the past six years, Bar-Gil has been working on Art & Food projects, partnering chefs and foodies, who are asked to prepare a special dish inspired by a work of art, together with artists whose oeuvre engages the subject of food. Bar-Gil is also the author of the book ‘Mixed Media’, which summarizes three years of these culinary art projects.
