Tel Aviv's art walls - Part I

Tel Avi is like an open air gallery. There is art everywhere... on it's walls especially.  I am trying to collect pictures of the most interesting street art I found on my way. I wish I knew more about the artists, but I guess we can still appreciate it. 

Two names are really popular here: Know Hope (who we had the chance to meet in person at his exhibition in Toronto, - in a gallery close to our house - on Dundas Street West) and Dede, who is everywhere here.

Nothing better than the feeling of discovering each art as you walk down the streets. But I hope the pictures give you an idea of the artists work. Enjoy. Hopefully come to come...

Taking it easy! - Tuesday Oct. 30th

Another relaxing vacation day! While Avi went to see his father who is turning 100 years old today, we went to the beach again. And what a perfect day! Sunny, no clouds in the sky clear and warm water, little a swimming pool. What else can I say?

We have to take turns to make our little fish happy. She love the water!

After the beach papai and Julia took a long nap and I cooked a home made meal. I think we all needed it, even tough the food here is amazing. Julia ate well. But in the afternoon we went back to explorers mood and visited the Nachalat Benjamin Street Art Market with our host Avi. 

Twice a week this pedestrian street is taken by over 200 artists selling the most amazing and creative art crafts. From jewellery to toys and kitchen stuff. One can find almost everything here. While the market is happening on Tuesdays and Fridays, the cafe's patios are packed and there is a very friendly atmosphere in the air.

According to the website gemsinisrael.com, there is a number of criteria for the artists to be part of this open air art fair.

1)The work must be original.

2)The work must be handmade. Although, in the last year, the guidelines have been changed a bit. The artists view themselves as students of the Bauhaus, which allows for replication of original work. As long as items are produced under the supervision of the artist (rather than mass produced) – they may be exhibited in the fair.

3)The artist must be present at his/her stall and may not send a representative.

We bought a piece from Dinu Mendrea, a photographer who has been documenting the Western Wall and its religious visitors for 25 years. His impressive work can be seen at photomendrea.com. Check it out, if you can. For about 25 dollars, we are taking home one of his powerful prints.

If I could read Julia's mind: "Can we go eat mamãe? Papai and I are tired and hungry!"

After walking again through the Carmel market and teaching Julia about fruits and vegetables (both in English and Portuguese), we stopped at a small Arab restaurant just outside the market. She says: "cheseeeeseee!!!!"

Here is the chef... very proud of his mushroom hummus, as he should be. It was delicious!

Stuffed zucchini, peppers and cabbage with rice and lentils. 

Good, but I am still thinking of the hummus.

Love it! Love it! Love it! Mint tea - with fresh leaves - after the meal.

A nice way to end a busy, but yet relaxing day in Tel Aviv.

Saba is here! - Monday - Oct 29th

Here he is! The main reason why we are in Israel right now arrived this morning. Avi Lev (a.k.a. my Canadian dad) is very close to our hearts - as well as his family - and we have been talking about visiting his country of origin since pretty much when we meet for the first time, more than 10 years ago. He is here to celebrate his father's 100th birthday and we are lucky to have him around to show his  "home". Avi and I travelled together to Brazil, in 2002. Now its his turn to be the host. In this photo he shows us where he went to school. Cute!

This is an old neighbourhood. I love the old buildings, like this one.

It's also an artistic area. But isn't the whole city like that? I think so.

Even though it was very hot, Julia enjoyed the little walk along the beach with her saba (grandfather). 

This is a lucky girl... with 4 grandfathers! She is getting to know saba Avi better on this trip. Lovely!

I absolutely love this picture!

More art!

From home, we walked for about 20 minutes to the famous Carmel Market, a great place to buy vegetables and fruits... or just enjoy the vibrant colours and sounds.

FROM WIKIPEDIA: The Carmel Market is the largest bazaar market in Tel Aviv. The market is bordered by Allenby Street and Magen David Square and the market is principally located along Carmel Street (which becomes King George Street after Magen David Square), but has expanded over time to streets such as Nahalat Binyamin Street. The market is open every day of the week, except on Shabbat [Saturday], and sells mostly food but also a variety of items such as home accessories, and flowers. Tuesday's and Friday's are the signature days at the market as several independent artists and vendors sell unique crafts, art, and jewelery along Nahalat Binyamin Street. On those same days famous Israeli Folk singer Miri Aloni performs many traditional Israeli songs that date back to the days of the establishment of the State of Israel.

Check out the size of these pomegranates!! They are everywhere.

This man was singing like a mad man. Maybe it helped that he was having a beer at noon!

Buying smoked salmon for tomorrow's breakfast. Yummy!

Fresh olives as well!

Stray cats are everywhere, but they seem to be enjoying life as well.

Pretty much every hour we have to stop because Julia has made new friends. These street clowns just loved her, making it hard for us to leave.

 

From the market we did some window shopping walking along Shenkil street. It reminds me a lot of Queen Street West in Toronto with its cool shops and good looking young people. We found a couple of Brazilian stores, besides Havaianas and Ipanema stores. One store had the latest Melissa shoes collection, artist Britto stuff and fancy Brazilian bikinis.

 From there we ended up at Rothschild Boulevard again, a very pleasant street with beautiful trees and a walking path in the middle, along with a bike path.

We had little breaks on playgrounds along the way, of course!

Bikes keep on the left. Pedestrians on the right. It works!

The Habina theatre, at the end of Rothschild Boulevard.

We ended our day of walking at this shopping mall. There we met our friend and neighbour Dudu from Toronto and had an amazing afternoon coffee time. It was so delicious that I forgot to take a picture of it. But I killed my chocolate craving with a super thick cup of hot chocolate. 

Julia had another playground break. This time she found energy - I don't know from where - and went crazy with all the other kids and amazing toys. As soon as we left the place, the poor thing collapsed in the stroller, sleeping like a rock all the way home.

Great - more relaxing - day!