Throughout its exhibitions, the Israeli Cartoon Museum has exposed 20,000 children, families, students, tourists, and adults to a unique, approachable, and influential medium to analyze Israeli society. This spring’s exhibitions are no exception. The new series redefines the military uniform in the spirit of Israel's first woman caricaturist, Friedel Stern, takes a plunge into the deep blue sea with Dudi Shamai's whimsical illustrations, and breathes nostalgia on a journey from Israel's joyous establishment many moons ago to today’s annual celebratory barbecue culture.
Cartoon in Uniform
This first exhibition displays military caricatures drawn by various artists participating in a two-year “Cartoon in Uniform” competition, alongside works by Israel's first woman caricaturist, Friedel Stern.
by Friedel Stern
Born in Germany in 1916, Stern arrived in Israel at age 20. She served in the British Army during the Second World War, which offered her great insight into the military world, however rather than spiraling down the political rabbit hole like many of her cartooning peers, Stern's truly dynamic style covers everyday social issues. Her clean and creative works have found their way into such publications as Davar, Dvar HaShavua, and BaMahane.
Like a Fish in the Water
In the second of the museum's three exhibitions, Dudi Shamai plays on the connection between "people, fish and everything in between" to make social and political statements in an absurd and intriguing manner. In contrast to Stern's black and white caricatures, Shamai's illustrations are vibrant and almost Dali-like.
by Dudi Shamai
Shamai treats fish as a mirror into the human soul. He draws on their versatility to make satirical references towards Israel, removing them from their natural habitat and stripping them of their physical properties, then displacing them in unusual locations such as soccer stadiums and the Knesset. The exhibit spans 25 years of Shamai's work, covering everything from newspaper caricatures to children's book illustrations to paintings, mixed-media works, and more.
Between The Lines: Celebrating 70 Years of Independence
Both exhibitions are merely amuse-bouches for the main course: an homage to Israeli Independence in conjunction with the State's 70th birthday. "Between The Lines: Celebrating 70 Years of Independence" reveals motifs that characterize seven long decades – stringing together Israel's inaugural years with an innocent period of elation (the 50s) and the unbeatable barbecue culture of the current day.
by Boris Dikerman
In covering a long timeline of cultural events, the platinum anniversary exhibition is calling on cartoonists of all periods – some veteran, others contemporary – to approach the topic from all angles.
While caricaturists were commonly regarded for their satire-laced political stances, something beautifully finite creeps to the surface once a year on Yom Ha'atzmaut: the "rare event of national cooperation and consensus" serves as a basic solution to neutralize the acidic cynicism that characterizes most Israeli caricaturists. As a result, once a year on the eve of the joyous holiday, newspapers boast illustrations of pride, encouragement, and hope, thanks to the patriotic acts of Shmuel Katz, Joseph Bass, Yossi Stern, Kariel Gardosh (known as Dosh), and the likes.
Come explore the history of our nation and its iconic Independence Day through a luminous lens at the Israeli Cartoon Museum, 61 Haim Weizman St, Holon (cartoon.org.il)