Art Guide
For each song in our playlist, we offer an example of contemporary Israeli visual art that connects with the themes and narrative of the lyrics. This adds another dimension to your exploration of each song while enriching your familiarity with Israeli art and culture.
Artwork: Hamudi and Aliza
Artist: Alon Kedem
Alon Kedem identifies as a Mizrahi artist working in a mostly Ashkenazi art world. His art deals with questions of identity formation and how images reveal aspects of our mind and personality.
Thoughts from the Artist
(Paraphrasing a conversation with Alon Kedem)
I grew up in a somewhat isolated space, where Mizrahi Israeli culture was the norm. It was only later that I began to see how it was denigrated by the larger European-minded community.
“Hamudi” (a nickname meaning “sweetie”) is the name I gave to a series of male characters I painted. They are related in some manner. They were the image of masculinity that I absorbed and I feel that they are a part of me.
I like the idea that Aliza and Hamudi are gazing at each other. The gaze is one that evaluates (perhaps judges) but at the same time has erotic energy to it.
In some ways, I refer to classical Western portrait art that celebrates beauty. My figures have elements of strength and nobility in them, even if their beauty is not obvious. The strong background colors make them pop out, they are very bold. The side view suggests that the viewer has power, as they can see the figures but are not seen in return. On the other hand, the figures have power; they are looking at something that the viewer cannot see.
And Now You
- What are the similarities and differences between these two portraits?
- Who might these portraits represent to you? To the artist?
- Is the artist playing into or rebelling against the message of the song that draws a sharp contrast between East and West, Mizrach and Ashkenaz?
Visual Art
Artwork: Hamudi and Aliza
Artist: Alon Kedem
Alon Kedem identifies as a Mizrahi artist working in a mostly Ashkenazi art world. His art deals with questions of identity formation and how images reveal aspects of our mind and personality.
Thoughts from the Artist
(Paraphrasing a conversation with Alon Kedem)
I grew up in a somewhat isolated space, where Mizrahi Israeli culture was the norm. It was only later that I began to see how it was denigrated by the larger European-minded community.
“Hamudi” (a nickname meaning “sweetie”) is the name I gave to a series of male characters I painted. They are related in some manner. They were the image of masculinity that I absorbed and I feel that they are a part of me.
I like the idea that Aliza and Hamudi are gazing at each other. The gaze is one that evaluates (perhaps judges) but at the same time has erotic energy to it.
In some ways, I refer to classical Western portrait art that celebrates beauty. My figures have elements of strength and nobility in them, even if their beauty is not obvious. The strong background colors make them pop out, they are very bold. The side view suggests that the viewer has power, as they can see the figures but are not seen in return. On the other hand, the figures have power; they are looking at something that the viewer cannot see.
And Now You
- What are the similarities and differences between these two portraits?
- Who might these portraits represent to you? To the artist?
- Is the artist playing into or rebelling against the message of the song that draws a sharp contrast between East and West, Mizrach and Ashkenaz?
