At a certain point in life, one is conducting an emotional, factual, and spiritual inventory in order to gauge and place himself on the scale of his own life plan and vision. This piece is a product of such inventory in one such area, with respect to what was left behind once I became an immigrant. My image of “home” (Israel) was frozen in time for me in 1994. This cabinet in the shape of Israel is not a political statement, nor is it a patriotic expression in any way. It is simply the image of what Israel is for me, with a snapshot of pictorial memories consisting of cultural, historical, educational, and major life events in Israel.
The outside surface is covered by laser etched foam tiles with images that are ingrained in my memory and are the manifestation of Israel for me. Anyone who grew up in Israel in the 70s, 80s, and beginning of the 90s will surely recognize most of the references. The edge of each shelf is covered with etched foam with a famous saying by Israel’s leaders or cultural heroes. The front perimeter edge is covered with foam etched with passages from scripture referring to the actual geographic location on the map itself, stressing and underlining the connection of the land to the people going back thousands of years.
Material:
Wood, Foam, and epoxy
Size:
34” x 90” x 11.5” (86cm x 228cm x 29cm)
Technique:
Hand fabrication, laser etching and cutting , cold casting, and assembly.
