For the 10th year in a row, the Manofim project will be inaugurating the Jerusalem art season.
By SHAWN RODGERSTHE ‘PROPERTIES’ exhibit of the Manofim Jerusalem Contemporary Art Festival(photo credit: YANIV AMAR MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART)
As winter approaches in Jerusalem, it is the perfect time to bundle up and enjoy the city’s seasonal events. One of the biggest is the Manofim Jerusalem Contemporary Art Festival, which runs from October 23 through 27. Celebrating its 10th year, Manofim, plays a major role in the independent and vibrant art scene in the city. Every night of the festival will kick off with the opening of a new exhibit, accompanied by artist talks, tours, films, lectures and concerts. All events are open to the public, free of charge.Founded and directed by Lee He Shulov and Rinat Edelstein, the festival creates a platform of dialogue and collaboration between artists and Jerusalem’s galleries, alternative art spaces and independent cultural centers.“Our 10 years of activity are long enough to be considered a significant and consistent period in the Israeli art and culture scene. At this moment, we look back at and reflect on our achievements, ideas and actions over the past decade,” say He Shulov and Edelstein. “We have held exhibitions in alternative, unique sites that turned the spotlight on social, political and historical issues involving Jerusalem. We have created original shows and many collaborations with organizations and groups in the local art and culture scene and formed international collaborations with artists from all over the world. We are exceptionally proud of Manofim Festival and look forward to continue developing it in the next decade.”The main exhibition this year is titled “Properties,” which will uncover the multifaceted historical story of the beautiful neighborhood of Talbiya. The exhibition will be displayed in several buildings throughout the neighborhood, in private homes and public buildings, some of which will open to the general public for the first time.Other exhibitions include Naomi Tannenhauser and Sarah Kotler’s “Women Section,” which examines women in haredi society. “Lifescape” exhibits the depth and breadth of Anna Ticho’s work, featuring drawings and watercolors from her early days as a young girl in Vienna up to her final work. For seven days, artist Tammy Zuri will live on Clal building’s rooftop, moving between three simple structures: a sleeping unit, a hosting unit, and a utility unit.Among the Manofim highlights is the third Jerusalem Art Conference, which takes place on Wednesday, October 24, at Hansen House. This year the conference will be dedicated to examining the notions of excess, surplus, and remainder – and their diverse manifestations in culture and art.On Friday, October 26, one can attend artists’ appointments, intimate one-on-one sessions with artists working in the industrial area of Talpiot. This year, the artists will expose “Potential:” unfinished works, abandoned ideas, or works that have not yet been outside the studio.Each day will end with a musical program produced specially for the festival. The program merges musical styles from diverse worlds under the title of “The Mixer.” These include Hayelala, a contemporary folk band from northern Israel featuring Apo Sahagian – a musician from Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter; Hoodna Orchestra, featuring Zimbabwean spoken word artist Tinofireyi Zhou; SHIRAN (Shiran Abraham) featuring Yossi Fine, and a tribute to the Lebanese indie band Mashrou’ Leila, one of the most successful Arab bands in the world.Manofim is supported by the Jerusalem Municipality Arts & Culture Department, The Israel Ministry of Culture and Sport, The Jerusalem Foundation, private supporters and commercial sponsorships
