Rachel Myerson

“Sof sof” – finally – female artists are receiving the recognition they deserve. Yet, after centuries of being grossly underrepresented in the art world, women could still do with a leg up. Here are three up-and-coming female artists to know now – while you can still afford to    1. The Alien Perspective  Elena C. Stein is a quirky painter and illustrator who was born in Milan, raised in London, and now lives in Tel Aviv, or, in her own words “on a crazy little planet called Earth.” For reference, Earth is “the blue one with the feisty hairless apes.” Working under the alias ‘The Alien Perspective,' Stein dives into a variety of mediums, from paper to street art, to pixels and poetry. The result is a motley crew of deeply emotional works. “I am not interested in empty trends…To make art you have to put the mask down, undress, and make yourself vulnerable. Allow yourself to be hurt, to be naked. It's not about fixing your holes. It's about making them beautiful.” thealienperspective.com View this post on Instagram Detail of work in progress, 180*160 cm, oil on canvas. Based on the very special @baralon.baralon and her work. #painting #art #fineart #contemporaryart #instaartist #instaart #portrait #room #workinprogress #studiolife #art #basquiat A post shared by Elena Ceretti Stein (@the_alien_perspective) on Nov 1, 2018 at 4:09pm PDT 2. Efrat Hakimi Efrat Hakimi was not always an artist, but she was always aware of her status as a women. S

As a shuk junky, I am unashamed to admit that, until a couple of years ago, I hated Israel’s markets. Walking through the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv was my understanding of hell-on-earth; the grappling, the noise, the pointedly used pointy elbows as people shoved past. However, I wised up eventually, thanks to the following nuggets of advice I picked up along the way. Now I pass them on, to help you shuk-shop in style:   1. Get Your Israeli On Honey, you aren’t in Kansas anymore. You’re in the Middle East, in the midst of Sabra territory, where people aren’t afraid to fight for what they want. In shuk terms, this translates to pushing, yelling, and general all-round obnoxious behavior. As the saying goes, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join em!”, so don’t hesitate to get stuck in, all’s fair in love and… shopping for veggies.   2. Get a Shuk Cart Yes, invest in one of those shopping carts most commonly seen at the hands of the…older generations, known locally as a ‘Shuk Cart’. These pensioners know what’s up; it is miserable, not to mention impractical, to shop with heavy plastic bags weighing you down. The carts are roomy, and ensure that you barely feel the weight of your purchases, transforming the shopping experience. Since shuk carts are still a decidedly ‘edgy’ investment, go bold and embrace the lurid colors and tacky prints on offer (I opted for fuchsia.) © Shutterstock 3. Timing is Everything As a general rule, Israeli markets become increasingly busy towards the week

“Spectrums” has a very clear, and long overdue message: we are all worthy of the freedom to live our lives without society dictating our identity. Each of the series’ ten episodes follows a single character, who, by way of their personal stories, shed light on the trans experience, and challenge societal gender “norms”. The subjects are raw and honest, and viewers may be surprised to see their own lives and internal struggles reflected on the screen. This powerful docu-series lives up to its name: proving that self-identity is never black or white, but a glorious rainbow-coloured spectrum. We chatted with the creators Zohar Melinek Ezra and Afek Testa Launer to learn more. We chatted with the creators Zohar Melinek Ezra and Afek Testa Launer to learn more about the show.    How was Spectrums first conceived? Zohar: I met Afek before his transition, in Canada. We are both Israeli and connected through language and culture, we became really good friends. We spoke a lot about the lack of understanding in Israel of what transgender is — we knew we had to change the conversation in a way that was accessible, with no boundaries or censorship. We were influenced by the global wave of cultural exchange happening online; people telling their stories with pride and celebration.  Afek: Growing up, one of the hardest things was the lack of representation in terms of gender identity, but also sexuality. If there was anything, it was always from an outside perspective – a shallow look, not

Dodo Bar Or brings elevated ethnic Summer wardrobes aren’t complete without a go-to flirty, floor-grazing maxi dress, and no one does it better than one of the biggest names in Israeli fashion, Dodo Bar Or. Her airy, feminine pieces with tassels and more are perfectly suited for warm weather. © Eyal Nevo     Dodo Bar Or, Ramat Aviv Mall, 40 Einstein St, Ramat Aviv   Holyland brings badass urban wear Holyland’s printed tees and tanks are the ticket to understated cool. They only need a pair of distressed denim cutoffs to complete the look. Equally cool are the tank dresses in black and sand, easy to throw on – and off, if late night skinny-dipping is your desire.  © Tom Marshak Holyland Civilians, 3 Even Shoshan Avraham St, Jaffa   TwoTone brings effortless style TwoTone’s one-size-fits-all (sizes 36-48) philosophy shines with the summer sun; pieces are oversized and relaxed in fit and the high-quality cotton allowing for a cool breeze. The simple designs and classic, monochromatic color palette – blues, greys and a splash of pastels – are low-maintenance, yet crisp and stylish.  © Rotem Lebel Two Tone, 6 Levontin St,  Tel Aviv   Kobi Golan brings the floral explosions  Get ahead of the crowd by rocking the pieces of this young, and extremely talented, rising star. Golan’s bold designs incorporate primary colors, textured, embellished materials and traditional Bedouin fabrics. His re-imagined garments are not for wallflowers, but are guaranteed to make a strong floral st

1. Post-Aliya Complainers Typically fresh-off-the-plane, Anglo olim who are infuriated with their new lives, and need to let it out. Triggers include: obnoxious Israelis, taxi drivers who respond to their fumbling Hebrew in English  (“how are we expected to learn?”), misrad haklita… actually, any misrad. Their mission: to kvetch about the dismal state of the Jewish homeland, particularly in comparison to the "Eden" that is the US of A.   2. Nervous Nancies Typically new, Anglo olim — anyone sensing a pattern here? — who are constantly alert, searching for potential dangers. Triggers include: any loud noises, (“Did anyone hear that boom?”), multiple sirens, anything posted on Ynet. Their mission: to seek solace amongst other anxious types with which to nervously laugh and exchange neurosis.    3. Shameless Promoters With new bars/restaurants/clubs opening on a daily basis, the only way to get the word out is with a very loud voice and a lot of chutzpa. No triggers needed. Their mission: to draw in the crowds by whatever means necessary, aka persistent posting and heavily filtered photos featuring a hot girl/guy in skimpy swimwear or a cute puppy.   4. Preachers Holier-than-thou types who will get involved in any cause. Triggers include: Donald Trump, anything dog-related (particularly leaving your dog behind while you relocate abroad), veganism. Their mission: to asserting their moral superiority, while simultaneously diminishing your self-worth.   5. “Only In Tel Aviv” Sprigh

Elopement, fairies, and an ass? Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream enchants audiences with timeless humor and romance. This month, the Israeli Opera is putting a twist on Britten’s version. Here’s a chat with Joshua Bloom (Bottom) and Rupert Charlesworth (Lysander) on what’s in store   How does this production differ from the original in terms of setting?   Bloom: They’ve gone for a very modernized version set in the 30’s, in the Golden Age of Hollywood. It’s set on a sound stage, filming a production of AMND, and different characters play particular archetypes of the time; Theseus is the head of MGM Studios, Titania is the Marilyn Monroe-type star.   Charlesworth: Yes, there’s definitely a concept! Everything Ido [Ricklin, director] has chosen to update works really well - we’re all excited to see how it will turn out.   Did this setting alter your view of AMND?    Bloom: It’s still largely the original text, with some changes, like the first scene in the play occurring at the end, but the piece is still the piece.   Charlesworth: Lysander is quite verbose and over-the-top at the beginning, which can work in a more “traditional” setting, but also works well with the larger-than-life, stylized 30’s.    Joshua Bloom   How do you get into character?   Charlesworth: I’m a doer. I love to try things physically, it helps me find who the character is. I think of Lysander as having a Gene Kelly-esque ease of movement; hands in pockets, swinging his legs, he is innocently jo

The shuk is one of the most quintessentially Israeli spots; people shout, scream, push, and try to shove as many free tasters into their mouths as possible. It may surprise you to know that many of the vendors are not native sabras, but came to Israel from far-away lands. We chat with some of the key faces in Tel Aviv’s Carmel and Levinsky markets to learn how their past inspires their present.   Tal & Tammy What? Venezuelan fare Where? Arepa’s, Carmel Market From? Venezuela © Elie Bleier If you haven’t already been drawn into this buzzing basta, smack-dab in the middle of the Carmel Market, you’ve been missing out. And while you may have fallen in love with the food — fluffy on the inside, crunchy on the outside arepas, aka, the Venezuelan pita — you may not know that this stall began with its very own love story. When Tal saw Tammy at a party, he thought she was the “most beautiful person in the room.” It wasn’t long until he fell in love with her culture, too, and the pair set out to share Venezuelan street food with Tel Aviv. Arepa’s is not only for the locals, but a haven for those who emigrated from Latin America, and yearn for the food of their childhoods. Tammy prepares most of the dishes, including daily specials and delectable frijoles (refried beans) in her own kitchen, then Tal mans the shuk-stall. And just how is it to work in the shuk? “Have you ever been in a hurricane?! When I leave for the day, I realize how calm and peaceful the outside world is!” he says.

United Nude is a brand that rose from the ashes of romance; founder Rem D Koolhas attempted to win back the heart of a girl by creating a pair of shoes for her. Indeed, there is a dark romance present in United Nude’s designs, where Rem’s background in architecture plays with fashion and elegance to produce statement footwear that transcends trends. Sculptural designs that play with texture and material, and embrace technological advancements – United Nude has 10 years experience in 3D printing, and regularly collaborates with printing market leader 3D Systems – have set this Dutch brand apart, and propelled it to success since 2003.  Courtesy of United Nude United Nude’s Winter 2018 collection offers updated, fresh versions of their classic designs, and a brand new styles, too. Stand-outs include their new Icon range — timeless black thigh-high boots and booties with a twist: an aluminium extruded heel —to add a punch of style to any winter look. For those ready to walk the street like it's a catwalk, the Rockit has the wow factor; “a shoe with an architectural impact, this design is a hard-geometric polygon crystal shape and a cantilevered structure.”    Courtesy of United Nude For Tel Aviv “winters”, the Mika – a half-open design with minimalist lines and metallic detailing around the sole — is the perfect footwear for that, “just threw this on” effortless look. 180 Dizengoff St, Tel Aviv (03-5277127)

Bags are the pinnacle of where fashion meets function. Unlike other accessorise, which are purely decorative, we need bags to carry our stuff — laptops in the day, and lipsticks at night. Which is why it is so worthwhile, to invest in a quality one.   Courtesy of PR         When it comes to local designers, Miri Weiss ranks amongst the best. An Art and Philosophy graduate, Miri is the creative mind behind Cyan bags. “‘Cyan’ has two meanings,” Miri explains, “it is the colour turquoise, one of the primary colours in print, and a filter that has been used in films to create a world of fantasy and dreams.”    Miri has succeeded in balancing her creativity and love of whimsy with what women want. “Each design is created through a lot of thought of women’s needs, life and body movement.” Cyan bags appear deceptively simple; the shapes are classic: roomy backpacks, some with an envelope closing, crossover side purses, the colours are natural in blacks, browns and tans, yet each are carefully crafted. All items are hand made in Tel Aviv, sewn piece by piece in premium quality leather, “I love sensual materials.” Courtesy of PR   The summer collection, “Moon Collection," takes inspiration from the moon in regard to shapes, cut and texture. “The timeless designs transcend seasons and trends by being functional and minimalistic through geometric compositions.” Miri has succeeded in balancing the timeless with the modern, ensuring that each design will continue to suit any outfit, a

Belgian-born architect and academic, Els Verbakel, who heads the graduate program for Urban Design at Jerusalem's prestigious Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, chats about how she found Tel Aviv to be right up her alley   Tell us a bit about yourself.   I have a Masters from Columbia University in Urban Design. While studying there, I met my partner in life and business, and also earned my PhD from Princeton in Architecture. We started our practice, Derman Verbakel Architecture, in New York in 2001, and we specialize in Urban Design. We moved to Tel Aviv in 2006. Currently I am heading the Graduate Program in Urban Design at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem.   © Yuval Tebol Why Tel Aviv?   My partner is Israeli. We came to a point where either we would stay in New York forever, or we would need to move right away.  We had some professional opportunities here and we decided to give it a one year try, which turned into 11 years. We live in Jaffa and one of our main clients is the Municipality of Tel Aviv; right now we are creating a new strategic plan for the whole city.    What do you love about Tel Aviv?   It’s an easy city to love, quite small in size, but very rich in culture, leisure, beach life, excellent food and great weather. It’s a bubble, but a friendly one. Tel Aviv has a special urban fabric and history. It is basically two cities–the historic Jaffa, a classic story of an ancient city, and in parallel, the city of Tel Aviv, which was built on the

Dede has become almost synonymous with Israeli street art, having used Tel Aviv as a canvas for the past decade. While ‘Dede,' a pseudonym of the artist’s real name, may not ring any bells, you are likely familiar with his work. He is responsible for the hundreds of band-aid images decorating the streets of Tel Aviv. This symbol is of particular importance to the artist: “[The Band-Aid] is therapy that my body has independently invented and it helped me through some of the hardest phases of my life… I used to spend long nights drawing band-aids all over the city and with each drawing I felt a sense of relief, as if I was telling everybody about my problems and they all listened, understood, and supported me.” #extinctspecies #williamsburg #nyc #newyorkcity A post shared by Dede (:::[]:::) (@dedebandaid) on Oct 9, 2017 at 9:30pm PDT Dede’s popular works additionally include a series of stenciled animals formed from broken wooden beams, “A story about looking for a safe haven," turning the sea-side Dolphinarium nightclub, abandoned after a terror attack in 2001, into ‘Chattering Teeth,' and transforming a highway intersection into a ‘Yellow Submarine.' Venus in south Tel Aviv . Model: @talikayam Photo: @pavlina737 . #venus #art #bandaid #telaviv #street #photo #pasteup #bandaid #dedebandaid #model #supermodel #covergirl #pose A post shared by Dede (:::[]:::) (@dedebandaid) on Sep 1, 2017 at 12:45am PDT The White City inspires Dede to release his creativity:

Karma Kream  Courtesy of Karma Kream   A pop-up serving a vegan alternative to conventional ice cream, coined “nice cream.” Plant-based, made from frozen bananas with homemade, healthy toppings like almond butter and cookie dough bites, this is guilt-free gluttony at its best. Keep up with Karma Kream at their weekly pop-up events in Florentin, a “culture of community, creativity, and overall great karma.”  facebook.com/KarmaKreamTLV/   Tel Aviv Beer Bakery Courtesy of Tel Aviv Beer Bakery Abi and Shuki combine their “wheaty passions”—one of baking and one of brewing—to create small-batch home-brewed beers and artisan challot. Flavors change according to seasons and mood, and highlights include their smokey amber ales and cinnamon babka challah. Challot are made with 50% whole wheat flour and can be ordered in a variety of shapes (round braided, straight braided, or bagel-shaped). Orders are made on a weekly basis via their Facebook page. Brews range from NIS 13-45, challot from NIS 30-35.  facebook.com/telavivbeerbakery/   Peaceful Kamboucha Whilst Kamboucha is very on-trend right now, its healing properties have been enjoyed for a couple of thousand years. The super-drink is said to aid weight loss, the digestive system, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Peaceful Kamboucha started when Radmila realized that she couldn’t live without her hand-crafted kaboucha after making Aliya. “I love to live life and feel good doing it, so a healthy natural probiotic in my