Designed by Preston Scott Cohen, Principal of
Preston Scott Cohen, Inc., an architectural firm
in Cambridge, MA, the new 195,000 square
foot building is scheduled for completion in
the fall of 2011.
Preston Scott Cohen is the Chair of the Architecture
Department at Harvard where he is
the Gerald M. McCue Professor.
The central focus of the building is a promenade
of ramps and stairs that wraps around
an 87-foot high spiraling sculpture - the
“Lightfall” - providing access to the Museum’s
galleries and ancillary spaces above and
below.
Professor Cohen, what were the unique challenges
in designing the building?
The building is more than a museum; it is a
cultural center for lectures, cultural programs,
research - all, of course, related to
art. The challenge was to design a building
for a rich composite of activities. The question
for me was much broader than the
already important question of how best to
exhibit art. The question was how can this
building encompass diversity.
Interestingly enough, the challenging shape
of the building site led me to connect the
building to many conditions around it in
very interesting ways. It made for a complex
interior space that can both hold the
many functions and provide a beautiful
sequence of galleries.
What role does the client play in the design
process?
The better the client, the better the building.
You can tell when a building didn’t
have a good client. The client should be
involved in many detailed decisions during
the design process. An architect can work
his heart out, but without a client knowing
what the life of a building should be, the
building won't be right. A good client is
inspiring to an architect. Working in a vacuum
with only your own ideas is not what
architecture is about. Architecture is a social
art.
I was fortunate to have a real
client in Motti Omer, the Director
of the Museum, who has a deep
knowledge of exhibition spaces,
lighting, and how people will
feel who use and visit the building.
The value of his leadership
and determination cannot be
overestimated.
Are there special problems that
arise when a building is being
constructed half a world away?
The problem with buildings built
halfway around the world is that far too often the architect who designs the
building gives over the actual construction of
the building to a local firm because this is almost always the client’s expectation. This
divorces the design vision from its technical realization.
Luckily, in this case, the client understood
that the process needed to be an organic
whole, running all the way from the design
vision, to the actual form of the building,
then to the technical design and finally to
the details of construction.
The lead project architect in my firm, Amit
Nemlich, is an Israeli who came to the United
States to work with me in Cambridge for
two and a half years. He became completely
familiar with the building’s aesthetic
and integrated the technical details rigorously.
Via the internet, he worked daily with
the many consultants in Israel. Because he
was Israeli, we were able to translate what
was needed into the Israeli way of doing
things. These two and a half years of commitment
allowed us to keep the building on
budget and on schedule. We were able to
hit the ground running when he moved back
to Israel to oversee the construction beginning
in 2007.
What are your hopes for the new building?
Dan Eytan was the architect of the original
building. I told him when I saw him that my
hope was that everyone would grow to
Tel Aviv Museum of
Art Program
Selection 2010
David LaChapelle July 22 - LaChapelle’s first
exhibition in Israel will introduce
his unique style of photography
spanning the past
twenty years of his prolific
career.
German Modern Artists-Gifts
from Susan and Martin
Sanders November 7 - The
exhibition will present works
by artists active during the
early 1980s in Berlin, Germany
who were part of the global
“return to painting” trend
which developed in reaction to
Minimalist and Conceptual art
of the 1960s and 1970s.
The TAMA/The Juilliard School Mollie & Irving
Sanders Memorial
Prize ConcertNovember 6
A Soldier's Letter
Israeli soldiers visiting the Tel Aviv Museum of Art
Gala 2010
Tens of thousands of soldiers visit the Tel Aviv Museum of Art each year. These young men and women give the most precious years of their lives in defense of the State of Israel. Entrance is free, the Museum’s way of thanking them for their service.
One such soldier recently visited a special exhibition at the Museum entitled “Fragmented Mirror”, an exhibition of Jewish artists in 1907 Berlin that reflected the Jewish community that sponsored it. Artists in that long-ago Berlin exhibition and in the Museum’s recent show included Pissarro, Maurycy Gottlieb, Lesser Ury and Josef Israëls.
Excerpts of the young man’s letter written subsequent to his visit to the exhibition appears below:
“As a soldier serving at Camp Rabin, the main base of the Israel Defense Forces, I very much appreciate the privilege of Soldiers in Uniform being able to visit the Museum free of charge. When I was transferred to this base, the exhibition Fragmented Mirror began. . . The first time I entered the exhibition, I stopped in front of Expectation by Josef Israëls from 1868, and could go no further. It took me another two days before I continued to the next painting, Expectation – on the Beach from 1896. I liked these two paintings so much that I could not let a day pass without beginning my visit at the Museum with fifteen minutes before each of the Expectations….
When I came in one day and discovered the
doors closed because the exhibition had
reached its end, my heart fell… I checked in
the
exhibition
catalogue but found that the
quality
of the reproductions
were not good enough for
me to fully
appreciate their
beauty. I checked
with the Museum
librarian but could not find
enough additional
information on these
paintings in books… I
would be grateful if you
have additional information
on those paintings
that so captivated me .
. . I thank you again for
the excellent exhibition.”
The simplicity and heartfelt feelings expressed
in
this letter touched the Museum staff deeply.
They
asked us to share it with you.
The
exhibition’s curator, Dr. Batsheva Goldman
Ida, sent two books on Israëls to the soldier.
One
of the lenders to the exhibition has
extended an
invitation to the soldier to view the
other works in
his personal collection.
Gala 2010 Chairmen Martin and
Susan Sanders spoke of their love and
commitment for the Museum.
AFTAM Chairman Steven Schwartz and
wife, Lauren, were in attendance along
with 2009 Gala Chairmen Joan and
David Genser.
Mad Hatter Tea Party
Mastering the Art of Collection Management
Ars longa, vita brevis: Most collectors will agree
that the purchase of a work of art can be an
exhilarating experience – one that can deeply
enrich your life. However, in pursuing your passion,
it is also important that you take certain steps to
ensure that your collection is properly managed.
The following three aspects of collection
management are essential.
Documentation
Before buying a work of art, an ideal plan would
be to have a conservator inspect it and prepare a
condition report. Knowing in advance any prior
repairs or structural weaknesses may influence
your purchase decision. Keep the condition report
in a discrete paper or electronic file and include
the dated purchase invoice on the seller’s
letterhead. At the time of purchase, ask the
gallery or auction house for available photographs
as well as a record of its provenance, exhibition
and publication history. Take color photographs of
the back and front of a painting, and several angles
of a three dimensional object. Record any information
on the back of a photograph as it will
be hidden once the work is framed. Train your eye
to detect all nuances about the baseline condition
of each object: Is there an anomalous patch of paint?
Do striations appear in the patina of a bronze sculpture?
Date all observations. Although you may prune works
from your collection, keep the
records. They are a
valuable part of your collection’s history.
Research
Learn all you can about the content or meaning of
each work and the times in which it was made.
Research the artist’s biography. Make it a goal to
visit exhibitions of artists you collect. Clip and
save their reviews from newspapers, magazines
and on-line. Follow their stylistic development.
Whose works are like theirs? What periods within
their work are considered most important? Challenge
yourself to grasp the details as well as the
larger picture.
Valuations
Have your collection appraised periodically.
Choose a certified appraiser or qualified body
such as the Art Dealers Association of America.
Specify whether you require fair market value
(the basis – with adjustments – for taxes, gifts,
and donations) or replacement value (for insurance).
Fair Market Value is equivalent to the price
likely to be received at auction. Replacement
value is usually higher, and can be thought of as
an object's retail price. It is wise to have a collection
re-appraised every five years or so.
Of course, these are just a few aspects of collection
management but are a strong base for any
strategy, whether you are a seasoned collector or
just starting out.
This article was contributed by Vivian Ebersman,
Director, Art Expertise, AXA Art Insurance Corporation
Gillian Salama-Caro (R) hosted a tea
party at her home to raise funds for
TAMA. Milliner Lisa Shaub (L) brought
an array of hats for guests to sample.
Cocktail Reception
Did You Know That...
… the Museum is Israel’s leading museum of modern art and home to the largest collection of Israeli art in the world?
… the Museum acts as the cultural center of Tel Aviv with a vibrant mix of permanent collections and changing exhibitions, music and education
programs, lectures, cinema and dance?
… Tel Aviv’s first mayor, Meir Dizengoff, gave his home over to the city to be officially transformed into the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in 1932?
… in 1948 the Museum was chosen by David Ben-Gurion to proclaim the Establishment of the State of Israel in a ceremony attended by 100
leaders of the Jewish community?
Laura and Lewis Kruger welcomed fellow
board members and friends to view
contemporary works of art in their home.
Laura spoke of her evolution as a collector
and her experience as a curator at
the Museum at Hebrew Union College in
New York.
… approximately 250 works of art enter the Museum’s collections each year in a wide variety of media –painting, sculpture, photography,
video, design, prints and drawings?
… the Art Library of the Museum was rated number one in the culture category of the city of Tel Aviv by Time Out magazine? And that over
15,000 students, soldiers, scholars and curators have access to 50,000 volumes, 140 current periodicals, special collections in art and photography
and unique material relating to Israeli art?
… the Museum’s Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Education Center gives classes in painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, pottery, photography,
printmaking, video and computers to nearly 1300 children and adults each week?
Message from TAMA’s Director and Chief Curator
It is with great excitement that we await the completion of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art’s new
building. While friends around the world and in Israel lent their generous support, a very
substantial portion of the funding came from Herta and Paul Amir, our American friends who
reside in California. Indeed, the building will be named in their honor.
At last we will have the gallery space to offer museum-goers a comprehensive historical
view of all aspects of Israeli art from 1906 to the present. Israeli contemporary artists have
caught the attention of the international art community, with exhibitions of their work being
shown in major shows throughout Europe and the United States. The growing prominence of
these artists has heightened interest in the Museum’s vast holdings of Israeli artists and our
planned new galleries dedicated to showcasing their work.
The American Friends of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art was founded in 1974. For over thirty
years American Friends have helped fund our exhibitions, scholarship programs, library, and musical programs. The bonds that keep us close
are time-tested and abiding. It is with the deepest gratitude that I thank you for all you have done.
- Professor Mordechai Omer
A Note from AFTAM’s Chairman
Dear Friends,
On a recent visit to Israel to attend the annual Board of Governors meeting of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art I had the privilege of touring the new
building. The beauty of the exterior, the complexity of the central light vault, the scale of the galleries, the inclusion of support spaces for storage
and conservation, and the new auditorium and art library were all already quite evident. The concrete panels for the outer skin are each
different, with a variety of shapes, dimensions and curves. Their complexity necessitated fabrication of the panels on site.
A whole floor will be devoted to the first permanent exhibition of the Museum’s vast collection of Israeli art. This will free up space in the original
building for a new gallery of the New York School of abstract expressionist and color field art, including our four Jackson Pollocks, three
Mark Rothkos, and works by Morris Louis, Adolph Gottlieb, Arshile Gorky, Philip Guston, Raoul Hague and others. Photography will have its
permanent home in the addition as will architecture and design. An elevator, similar to what we see at the Whitney Museum, easily accommodates
over-size works that need to be moved to the galleries.
We at AFTAM are funding the new gift shop, and invite our friends to join us in this effort. There are also several spaces available for funding
which carry with them naming opportunities.
We have always thought of the Museum as a smaller version of MoMA, in its stated purposes and range of works. This very exciting new building
makes that comparison all the stronger. Professor Omer and its architect, Preston Scott Cohen, have our admiration and gratitude for this
extraordinary accomplishment. - Steven P. Schwartz
Tel Aviv Museum of Art
The Tel Aviv Museum of Art is Israel 's leading museum
of modern art and home to the largest collection of
Israeli art in the world.
Situated on a vast cultural complex, the Museum serves
as a meeting place for all the arts – painting, sculpture,
photography, video art, architecture, music, cinema and
dance. A dynamic program of more than 25 changing
exhibitions a year presents the public with the best in
international and local art, focusing on current trends in
the art world.
The Museum's impressive permanent collections of art,
ranging from the 16th century to today, serve as
testimony to the extraordinary support the Museum
receives, inasmuch as many of these works are gifts
from friends around the world. Approximately 250
works of art enter the Museum's collection each year in
a wide variety of media – painting, sculpture,
photography, video, design, prints and drawings.
The Art Library of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art is the
most comprehensive reference library in the Middle East
with a particular focus on the study of Modern and
Contemporary Art and Design. The Education
Department provides a wide range of guided tours,
workshops and lecture series for children and adults,
including a program for underprivileged children who
are gifted in the arts.
The Museum is also of great historical significance. In
1948 the Museum was chosen by David Ben Gurion to
proclaim the Establishment of the State of Israel in a
ceremony attended by 100 leaders of the Jewish
community. Today, with over 500,000 visitors a year,
the Museum continues to play a vital role in both the
civic and cultural life of the people of Tel Aviv and all of
Israel.
Construction of a new building, scheduled for
completion in 2011, will provide needed space for the
growing collection of Israeli art, a library, a photography
center, a 350-seat auditorium and an exceptionally large
gallery to be used for exhibitions and multi-media events.
American Friends of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art
The American Friends of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art
(AFTAM) is a non-profit organization founded in 1974 to
raise funds for the Museum and to seek notable works
of art for its collections. AFTAM hosts a year-round
calendar of events, including gallery visits, art lectures,
private tours of art collections, and an annual Gala.
Please call our Executive Director at 212-319-0555 to
learn more about the Museum and its programs as well as
benefits of being an American Friend of the Tel Aviv
Museum of Art.
