Fresh Paint, 2017

3/20/2017

was honored to be invited to deliver a talk on the role of collectible design in the world's finest interiors at Fresh Paint, foremost Israel’s contemporary art fair. Held each year in a surprising location in Tel Aviv, this year it is taking place at the new Steinhardt Museum of Natural History. While the fair brings together the leading Israeli galleries, collaborating with museums, educational institutions, and international art institutions, a couple of years ago, the Fair has introduced a design section. It seeks to expose, exhibit, and enable those creating contemporary (collectible) design to showcase their work. The territory of collectible design in Israel is still at its infancy, thus Fresh Paint has become a crucial venue for the developing of this arena within the world of design, particularly in the light of lack of governmental support for collectible design. The show demonstrates a strong preference towards pop design, and whereas you would expect the objects to express notions of fear, horror, and insecurity in the light of Israel's political state, you would be surprised to find that the design is more whimsical, playful, and often humorous. The lack of infrastructure in craftsmanship, skillful makers, and tradition in the crafts is apparent; it is perhaps the main obstacle in the road to develop the territory of collectible design in this country. For more information and tickets, visit the Fresh Paint Website. Above: By Alon Dodo.