Shlomit Bauman, A Lesson In Technology, 2008

For some reason, works in ceramic are only rarely given a lot of attention in the art world.

They are often considered as boring or as mere artifacts.

This is why I wanted to visit the Fifth Ceramics Biennale at the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv, which I absolutely loved.

The exhibition, called “Clay, Sensation”, is curated by Hagai Segev and presents 57 different artists. The space is dark and offers an intimate but also dramatic viewing to the visitors. The art works are so varied, surprising and often beautiful. Most are displayed on piled pieces of woods surmounted by polished black surfaces, and some articles are shown directly on the wall or hanging from it.

Many different materials, textures and media can be found here: some pieces are highly polished, some are painted, some incorporate lights, some are juxtaposed to video screenings, others have a ‘raw’ quality to them.

The show is divided into five sections which present the five major sources of inspiration for the artists.

Here are these five sections with one or two examples for each:

1. Cultural Materials:

Mika Drimer

2. Construction Materials:

Simone Solomon, Temporary, 2008

3. Natural Materials:

Dalia Fisch Benari, Stone, Shell, Star, and Light Balls, 2007

4. Material Pleasures:

Ruth Simon, Two Bowls, 2008

5. Myths, Histories, Cultures:

Rena Negrin, Untitled, 2006 (My favorite!)

Click on the images for a better view.

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