I had the honor of participating in “Imagination 2012” – Israeli Art Exhibition, annual fundraising event for Israel AIDS Task Force.

Israeli Aids Art Exhibition Fundraising Event, In conjunction with Bank Hapoalim, Opening Saturday February 25th, 2012 19:00 – 23:00.  Pre-opening, by invitation only on Friday 24th  9:00 – 15:30.  Bank Hapoalim, main branch, Yehuda Halevy 63, Tel Aviv, Israel.

My sculpture, “Trapped in the Amber of the moment” was sold at this event.  The proceeds of the sale are for the Israeli AIDS Task Force – a cause I feel very strongly about.

below are some photo’s from the event as well as further information about the exhibition.

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ABOUT THE EXHIBITION (Taken from web site of the event)

IMAGINATION 2012- Israeli Art Exhibition is the annual fundraising event benefiting the Israel AIDS Task Force. In the 13 years of its existence, the exhibition has grown to become a wonderful tradition, turning into one of the most outstanding initiatives in the Israeli art scene. 7 floors, more than 600 creations and 1 important cause.

IMAGINATION was born due to great financial distress- distress which threatened to close the gates of the IATF and declare HIV/AIDS the winner in this battle. As last resort in an attempt to turn the tables, a group of social activists, along with volunteers of the IATF, turned to philanthropists and social leaders. Hila and Rani Rahav, whom were the first harnessing themselves to the cause, proposed putting together an Israeli art exhibition of which all proceeds would benefit the IATF. The profound stigma attached to HIV/AIDS revealed sad truth: no public or commercial institute were willing to show support and host such an event. The Rahav family refused to accept this truth and proceeded to host the exhibition in their private residence and at their own expense. To symbolize the importance of the subject, the exhibition was erected in the honor of Mrs. Leah Rabin, facilitating her legacy as one of the first few working endlessly to break the silence around HIV and promoting the public awareness to the disease.

Starting as an intimate event, hosting a few dozens of participants in the first few years, the exhibition has turned into one of the cornerstones of the Israeli art world. More and more artists joined IMAGINATION and contributed their immense talent towards resource development, necessary for the IATF to continue in its mission. IMAGINATION 2012, as previous years, is showcasing hundreds of world- renowned artists alongside the brightest upcoming stars in Israel. Amongst the contributors: Yigal Tumarkin, Yair Garbuz, Sigalit Landau, Natan Elkanovich, Menasheh Kadishman, Ofer Lalush, Tsivi Geva, Ido Bar-El, Ziv Koren, Sammy D and many more talents. In addition, a special space is dedicated to the creations of students and teachers from the High Schools of Israeli Art- Bezalel and Shenker.

IMAGINATION continues to showcase a society in which, its leaders of change do not succumb to indifference. In a time when hope was the furthest away, the artists were the one bringing the battle closest to their hearts and since, they are with us, acting as our back wind and fighting alongside us the stigma and prejudice.

The IATF is proud being the first voluntary organization in Israel signing an Agreement in Principle honoring the artists’ rights as suggested and formulated by the Plastic Artist Union. Since 2010, all IMAGINATION artists selling a creation may, upon request, receive 17% of the total value of the piece as expense re-imbursement. Thanks to this agreement, a unified, ethic standard was devised in art sales for charity purposes.

A special thanks to Ha-Poalim Bank and its leaders for opening their doors to us 8 years ago, and giving a proper home to an exhibition this large. Since, they have shown their great generosity by allowing the proper platform for showcasing the contribution of the artists, in all its glory. This year, as part of the banks’ commitment to the promotion of communities with special needs, the exhibition for the IATF will host a number of pieces made by residents of K’far Idud.

We are glad to host you in the exhibits website and thank you for finding our important work worthy of your donation. Thanks to your help, the IATF will continue to lead fundamental work in the advocacy of HIV/AIDS and continue being the safe haven for thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS in Israel.

Enjoy,

Israel AIDS Task Force

Curator: Lee Mor Cohen

Production assistants: Idit Smallson, Vardit Cagan and Yuval Danielli