I’m always looking for ways to expand people’s understanding of what Israel is all about, introducing you to the Real Israel, behind what I call the “CNN curtain” on the lives of real people there.

My pal Sarah Peguine, who writes a great blog about the intriguing art scene in Tel Aviv, has written a post about why she loves street art, and what it all means, here:

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People often ask me, “why are you so obsessed with street art?” or “Do you make street art?” The answer is no, I just admire it, look for it, and look at it. It is part of my daily life here in Tel Aviv. In fact it enhances my day to day experiences. When I go to the grocery shop for example, I am always surprised to see on my way a new piece of art decorating buildings, bins, pavements, light spots, doors and so on.

I also enjoy thinking about the link between the notion of “time” and street art. I find it so fascinating that street art is ephemeral, often repetitive, and that it keeps changing like most of our life experiences. In the past, I have written a post about this relation:

“The possible link between time and street art came to me when I was walking (actually cycling…) around Tel Aviv. Everyday, I see plenty of the same images and graffiti across town and I know that they are bound to be destroyed, removed or replaced at some point. We could perhaps suggest that repetition helps to overcome the images’ ephemeral nature. Maybe, because of all of these reasons, some artists seem to have chosen to record what can be read as the time of the day, next to their images (this is just my own interpretation), like in these two cases:”

Finally, it is the message behind those paintings that makes me curious and obsessed with street art.

Is it political?

Ironic?

Simply decorative?

Where did the artists find their inspiration from? What are WE the viewers, the inhabitants of this city suppose to see and understand from this piece of art. Lastly, can it be considered as art?

For me, it is most definitely art. Because it affects us, it brings all these questions to the fore, it moves us, and at the end of the day, or at the end of the walk to the grocery shop, it can change our mood, our perception of Tel Aviv and even our way of seeing the world.

More information:

Favorite street artists in Tel Aviv:

Klone: http://www.flickr.com/photos/klone/

Ame72: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ame72

INSPIRE: http://www.idiotthewise.com/

Know Hope: http://www.thisislimbo.com/

Tel Aviv Street Art blog: http://www.telavivstreetart.blogspot.com/

Tel Aviv street art Flickr group:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/telavivstreetart/pool/29088723@N00/

Wine and street art:

http://www.montereyherald.com/food/ci_12559416?nclick_check=1

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