People I Saw But Never Met
by Zadok Ben-David
Photo by BLHenn |
Dear Zadok,
Can you tell us a bit more about your latest project titled “People I Saw But Never Met” which is a collection of over 3,000 chemically etched miniature figures and 45 larger hand-cut figures made from aluminum? It's a kind of neutral title that describes the installation sources without making a stand. Leaving the spectators absorbing and understanding it with their own personal experiences. There is a real life existence behind each figure and a story that the spectators might imagine or assume. |
Your sculptures have been exhibited in many countries, such as China, Italy, Israel, Australia, Japan, England, Germany, and many more. How do you see the reaction towards your art in different parts of the world?
Each culture has its local sources of traditions and local mythologies. At the same time people from all over the world are individuals with similar needs and expressions.
I try in my works to explore human attitudes and behavior. "Blackfield" installation is about choice, life and death, optimism, pessimism and more. “The other side of midnight" with butterflies and cockroaches is about attraction and repulsion.
From my experience and the way people reacting to my works I can see that most of the people across the globe have in common similar passions and reactions.
Where are some of the most magnificent or memorable venues where your art is exhibited?
Every place has its special memories. I am lucky to experience the countries through works on the installations, experience that I would miss if I were a traveling tourist.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in Central Asia were extraordinary experiences. Talking about places that hardly ever see contemporary art. Working with people in Japan and China was very special.
Another memorable experience was in one country in Europe. I was given prisoners as assistants... needless to say that the installation there were completed at a record time.
Who is the Big Boy inspiring you to create your sculpture “Big Boy”? What is the intended impact of this sculpture and why?
“Big Boy” was inspired by a young kid who I saw walking on a street in a small town in the northern part of Portugal. I assumed that he was a football fan. His T shirt, which had Number 7 printed on it, revealed his passion. It’s the number worn by the world famous Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo.
The choice to enlarge him was an intuitive choice.
All the pieces once they are enlarged get special attention and focus. However they are not any more special or meaningful than other figures. As I said earlier each one has its own unique story.
Each culture has its local sources of traditions and local mythologies. At the same time people from all over the world are individuals with similar needs and expressions.
I try in my works to explore human attitudes and behavior. "Blackfield" installation is about choice, life and death, optimism, pessimism and more. “The other side of midnight" with butterflies and cockroaches is about attraction and repulsion.
From my experience and the way people reacting to my works I can see that most of the people across the globe have in common similar passions and reactions.
Where are some of the most magnificent or memorable venues where your art is exhibited?
Every place has its special memories. I am lucky to experience the countries through works on the installations, experience that I would miss if I were a traveling tourist.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in Central Asia were extraordinary experiences. Talking about places that hardly ever see contemporary art. Working with people in Japan and China was very special.
Another memorable experience was in one country in Europe. I was given prisoners as assistants... needless to say that the installation there were completed at a record time.
Who is the Big Boy inspiring you to create your sculpture “Big Boy”? What is the intended impact of this sculpture and why?
“Big Boy” was inspired by a young kid who I saw walking on a street in a small town in the northern part of Portugal. I assumed that he was a football fan. His T shirt, which had Number 7 printed on it, revealed his passion. It’s the number worn by the world famous Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo.
The choice to enlarge him was an intuitive choice.
All the pieces once they are enlarged get special attention and focus. However they are not any more special or meaningful than other figures. As I said earlier each one has its own unique story.
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In 2010, your solo show “Human Nature” at the Tel Aviv Museum in Israel, made history as it achieved record-breaking attendance in the history of the museum when it ended in February 2010. How fantastic for art to attract record-breaking attendance! How does the artist interpret this kind of response to his art?
It was a big surprise for me and a heartwarming experience to see that my work speaks to a wide range of people of all ages. It was even more special knowing that many people across the country set foot for the first time in contemporary art museum, realizing that there is nothing to be feared of and art can be accessible.
Are there any rules to follow in order to make one’s art visible and to reach big audiences in today’s busy world?
I don't believe that there is a formula as such. Artists should be sincere, genuine and honest with their work. Being out of tune is visible.
You graduated in advanced sculpture from St. Martin’s School of Art in London and taught at the same institution from 1977-1982. What are the best lessons you’ve learned and taught at that prestigious institution and outside it for over three decades now?
The way you described it makes it sound easy... unfortunately my way of becoming an artist had started with failure when I was kicked out after 2 years from the first art school that I went to.
I have learned a lot from these institutions and their teaching methods. The main lesson is that you cannot easily predict who can be an artist and who will not. I have seen great students who graduated with honors but never made it. Others were struggling constantly and only bloomed in their final year.
My advise to students is to hear their teachers’ criticisms but not necessarily to listen or to materialize it automatically. Teachers can also be wrong and mistaken in reading you and analyzing your work.
Who are the modern thinkers, artists, doers, leaders whose work motivates you in your own creative life?
I cannot point at one person in particular. Many of them have inspired me at different ages and stages of my life and career.
There were supporting parents, teachers, fellow students, writers, artists and close friends. I would say that the greatest influence and inspiration came from observing the Human Nature.
We love the idea of the shop page on your website where people can buy amazing pieces of art for affordable prices. Who was behind this idea?
It came about at the time when I noticed that most of my sculptures were not affordable anymore to the average art lovers. I wanted to create a situation where anyone who wishes to own an image of a larger unique work of mine can do so.
Therefore I created miniatures that are not signed nor in edition to keep the price low.
What are the most hopeful and exciting events you are looking forward to in the days ahead?
Completing the people installation with a few thousand more. To be more serious I am looking forward to the discovery of a pill for eternal healthy life...
Thanks.
It was a big surprise for me and a heartwarming experience to see that my work speaks to a wide range of people of all ages. It was even more special knowing that many people across the country set foot for the first time in contemporary art museum, realizing that there is nothing to be feared of and art can be accessible.
Are there any rules to follow in order to make one’s art visible and to reach big audiences in today’s busy world?
I don't believe that there is a formula as such. Artists should be sincere, genuine and honest with their work. Being out of tune is visible.
You graduated in advanced sculpture from St. Martin’s School of Art in London and taught at the same institution from 1977-1982. What are the best lessons you’ve learned and taught at that prestigious institution and outside it for over three decades now?
The way you described it makes it sound easy... unfortunately my way of becoming an artist had started with failure when I was kicked out after 2 years from the first art school that I went to.
I have learned a lot from these institutions and their teaching methods. The main lesson is that you cannot easily predict who can be an artist and who will not. I have seen great students who graduated with honors but never made it. Others were struggling constantly and only bloomed in their final year.
My advise to students is to hear their teachers’ criticisms but not necessarily to listen or to materialize it automatically. Teachers can also be wrong and mistaken in reading you and analyzing your work.
Who are the modern thinkers, artists, doers, leaders whose work motivates you in your own creative life?
I cannot point at one person in particular. Many of them have inspired me at different ages and stages of my life and career.
There were supporting parents, teachers, fellow students, writers, artists and close friends. I would say that the greatest influence and inspiration came from observing the Human Nature.
We love the idea of the shop page on your website where people can buy amazing pieces of art for affordable prices. Who was behind this idea?
It came about at the time when I noticed that most of my sculptures were not affordable anymore to the average art lovers. I wanted to create a situation where anyone who wishes to own an image of a larger unique work of mine can do so.
Therefore I created miniatures that are not signed nor in edition to keep the price low.
What are the most hopeful and exciting events you are looking forward to in the days ahead?
Completing the people installation with a few thousand more. To be more serious I am looking forward to the discovery of a pill for eternal healthy life...
Thanks.
