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Art
The foundation of the Bezalel Academy of Art in Jerusalem
in 1906 is considered to be the beginning of modern
art in the Land of Israel. Israeli art has continued
to evolve, reflecting Israeli history, society and
identity. Israeli art today demonstrates
rich and diverse approaches as well as a variety of
mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography
and video art.
Israel has more museums per capita than any other
country in the world, and Israeli museums have millions
of annual visitors from across the globe. The Isreal
Museum in Jerusalem achieved world class status in
a relatively short period of time, with collections
ranging from prehistoric archaeology to contemporary
art. The Museum's Shrine of the Book houses rare biblical
manuscripts, including the Dead Sea Scrolls. Many
American works are featured in Israeli museums, including
several American pieces created especially for various
museums.
Top:
Art Garden, designed by the Japanese-American sculptor
Isamu Noguchi, extends over five acres at the Israel
Museum in Jerusalem; Below: L. A. Mayer Museum for
Islamic Art in Jerusalem.
Israeli sculptor and artist Yaacov Agam has achieved
international recognition. He is best known for a
type of print known as an Agamograph, which uses lenticular
printing to present radically different images, depending
on the angle from which it is viewed. Agam has had
major exhibitions at the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum
of Modern Art in New York, and the Smithsonian, and
his work can be seen throughout the United States
in a wide variety of venues. Increasingly, Israeli
artists representing various mediums are featured
in prominent museums throughout the United States.
Israeli and American artists are more often joining
together. For example, the design chosen for the World
Trade Center Memorial in New York City was created
by Israeli-born Michael Arad and American Peter Walker.
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