Theme Group #6
Sponsored by
The Ministry of Education and Culture

Art in the Desert

The Negev can be many things to the same person... stark and barren,or blanketed in soft hues of the ibex, rocks and sands...., or marked with flashes of brilliant colors in its minute flowers and the long robes of Bedouins herding their sheep.

While it shares many basic features with other deserts of the world, the Negev has its own stark features as seen in the lighting, colors, tracks and reminders of human inhabitation.

Both the scientist and the artist are drawn to observe its details - the scientist, asking it for clues to desert survival - the artist to soak in its harsh beauty.

The act of creating art in the desert, or any other environment, can be a valuable form of environmental education. Working in the environment calls upon us to open our senses to see, to hear and to feel the delicate differences - and perhaps just as important - to bond with it. We may each bond with different elements. What matters is that we find a connection.

In this workshop, participants will explore the Negev desert by creating their own art works in an array of spectacular settings. While working with four well-known Israeli artists, they will experiment with different ways to stimulate their own creativity using photography, sculpture, natural material and drama.

A Week with Four Artists of the Negev

About the workshop leader

Israeli photographer, Hen Yannay  has traveled and taught photography throughout the world, from New Mexico and Japan to Spain. Currently living and working at Mitzpe Ramon, Hen takes a backyard approach to photography, looking for subjects in unusual settings often overlooked by others.

About the Guest Artists

Desert/Environmental Sculptor, Ezra Orion lives and works at Midrasha Sde Boker. Former manager of field school, Ezra’s life, philosophies and art are described in several Israeli publications. His "galactic art" can be found in outdoor desert settings around the world.

Artist, Tammar Sharon uses natural elements such as wood, stone, and clay to paint and sculpt. Tamar studied art in England and now teaches at the art colony at Mitzpe Ramon.

Dramatist/psychodramatist, June Hare teaches psychodrama and psychosocial aspects of environmental disasters (classes at Ben- Gurion University). She is currently the producer of the Light Opera Company of the Negev, and social worker for immigrants from Chernobyl.

Theme Group # 6

Schedule

Sunday June 22
Afternoon - Conference registration.
15:00-18:30 - Explore local desert environment with theme group artists,Hen Yannay, June Hare, Ezra Orion and Tammar Sharon.
Evening - Opening ceremonies and dinner.

Monday June 23
4:00-11:00 - Sunrise climb to top of mountain at Maktesh Ramon with desert sculptor, Ezra Orion.
Afternoon and evening - Conference program.

Tuesday June 24
6:00-10:00 - Morning on crater floor within Maktesh Ramon creating drama, sculpture, plastic arts and photography with artists.
10:30-13:00- Visitor’s center at Mitzpe Ramon with workgroup. Possible visit to artist’s home.
Afternoon and evening - Conference program.

Wednesday June 25
8:15-11:15 Morning at Midrasha for a technical and philosophical evaluation of the group’s works.
17:00 - 19:30 - Field trip to be announced.

Thursday June 26
6:00-8:30 Explore Bedouin market.
8:30 - 13:00 Gather creations and prepare for exhibition.
15:00-17:30 Presentation of art creations at conference exhibition.
Afternoon and evening - conference program.

Friday June 27
Departure.
Optional two day excursions.