A representation of an alternate reality in which Israel’s official symbols were designed by Jewish immigrants from Arab countries
Concealedesigns represents an alternative design reality to that of the
days of early statehood, asking how Israel’s major symbols would look if Jewish
immigrants from Arab countries had designed them.
Concealedesigns is an intermediate summary of a quest for an Israeli-Mizrahi
design culture. The project brings to light that which had been concealed for
many years, while also exploring the consciousness and art of artists born
in Asia and Africa. These artists, who lived in a different creative and cultural
environment, present an alternative design of Israeli symbols of state, authorities,
and institutions.
The design guidelines for this project were to integrate between the Jewish world
of content and the Arab esthetics that surrounded them, and combine these with
the hope for redemption and their new life in the State of Israel. The designs are
based on knowledge of crafts, calligraphy, jewelry making, and embroidery,
all brought to Israel by these immigrants.
Concealedesigns highlights the glory of arabesques and the wealth and
complexity of Mizrahi style. As part of this bringing to the forth,
it presents special designs of Hebrew letters that had been created by Jews
of Arab-speaking countries, especially Yemen and Morocco, a style that Israeli
statehood concealed.
