A sensational exhibition, titled "Masterpieces," will open its doors on September 20 at the Mishkan museum of Art in kibbutz Ein Harod in northern Israel. Curated by the talented Avi Lubin, the exhibition features 300 works by 46 Israeli artists who reinterpret canonical works from the history of Western art. The artists, coming from various generations and backgrounds, including some of the leading figures in contemporary art, recreate the great masterpieces of art history through paintings, drawings, sculptures, and videos, creating a significant bridge between the past and the present. Among them are Igal Tumarkin, Zoya Cherkassky, Jossef Krispel, Olga Kundina, Ruth Schloss, Fouad Agbaria, Siglit Landau, Aram Gershuni, Michal Helfman, Elie Shamir, Liliane Klapisch, Tamir Zadok or Adi Nes, giving a new breath to timeless works known to the public.
This unprecedented artistic event pays tribute to the most canonical and beloved works, including "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci, "The Birth of Venus" by Botticelli, a series of self-portraits by Rembrandt, "The Milkmaid" by Vermeer, "Liberty Leading the People" by Delacroix, "The Disasters of War" by Goya, and "The Little Dancer" by Degas, in an updated Israeli version that explores the connection between Western art history and local art history.
"The project was born four years ago during the coronavirus pandemic. Borders were closed, and we couldn’t travel. In Israel, due to the severe lockdown, people had the time to discover local art and developed an interest because they couldn’t do it elsewhere," explains Avi Lubin.
Avi Lubin previously worked as a curator for five years at the Hamidrasha Gallery in Tel Aviv, then currated the Israeli Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2019, and has organized exhibitions in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Kosovo, and Hamburg before launching this project.
"As a joke, I wondered why we need to go abroad to observe classic European works when Israeli artists produce them here? I was inspired by the dialogue on culture and what we can learn from each other and the numerous exchanges that arise during openings; then I began collecting works from artists to develop this unique concept of a journey through ages and styles," says Avi Lubin.
The chosen artists come from all corners of Israel, from the Negev to Galilee and the center of the country. Some works are quite surprising, such as those by Ruth Schloss, who reproduces drawings by the Italian painter Caravaggio, or Sigalit Landau, who unveils her sculptures. There is also digital art combined with classical art.
Sparking reflection on the link between past and present
"In its early days, Israeli culture sought to detach itself from the past and stand out by offering something new and modern, which is also true for the art sector. We can see a certain rupture, where artists have freed themselves from classical traditions to fully embrace modernism. With this exhibition, I want to question the place we should give to the past in artistic creation and the connection that artists have with their predecessors. Ultimately, the past is quite inherent to current art," says Avi Lubin.
Israeli artists use the past as a base to offer an updated version not only temporally but also geographically. Ironically, the exhibition takes place in a kibbutz in the north of the country amid the Middle Eastern conflict and showcases works inspired by the greatest names in classical art.
"There is a kind of tension between the modern and simple architecture of the kibbutz and that of the European art museums where the great painters are exhibited. We provide a broad perspective on Israeli art, which has sought its path and highlights local art that is not merely reproductions but symbolizes much more," says Avi Lubin.
Avi hopes this exhibition will reach a large audience by attracting people who are not used to visiting museums in Israel but do so abroad. He believes that knowing the works can be reassuring for some, reluctant to confront too-modern art whose codes they do not understand.
The exhibition is aimed at both connoisseurs and amateurs and will be until February 15 at the Mishkan museum of Art in kibbutz Ein Harod, near Afula. The opening will take place on September 20 at noon.
Caroline Haïat
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