Closeup
1978
Egypt 1977
Following the peace agreement with Egypt, Yigael Tumarkin embarked on a personal and research-oriented journey in the country. The book functions as a journal documenting his impressions, thoughts, and reflections on the place through texts, photographs, and collage-like drawings.
In his work, Tumarkin moves between present and past, and between the bustle of street life and historical sites and ancient cultural symbols, including the Great Sphinx of Giza and the Pyramids of Giza, which he perceived as “islands of architecture” within the landscape. Alongside these, he observes traditional mud structures, which had a profound influence on the earthworks he created later in his career.
- Pages: 26
- Type of binding: Softcover
- Languages: Hebrew
- Dimensions (cm): 180x180
- Type of printing: Letterpress printing
- Publication: Massada
- Place of publication: Israel
- Book photography: Leafing Magazine
Igael Tumarkin (1933–2021), born in Germany, was one of Israel’s most important artists. Working primarily in sculpture, he also created prints, paintings, and photographs. He studied sculpture in Ein Hod, worked at the Berliner Ensemble in East Germany, and was influenced by Dada, Pop Art, and the French avant-garde. In the 1960s, he developed his assemblage style, incorporating weapons and other materials to create anti-war and politically charged sculptures and monuments. From the 1970s onward, his works combined art-historical references with Palestinian and Bedouin folk imagery. He installed dozens of monuments across Israel, including the Holocaust and Revival Memorial in Rabin Square.
