Where do you seek inspiration? For ray personal pieces, which relate to the political situation in Israel, inspiration unfortunately punches me in the face every day in the news. For my commissioned work I find inspiration in my culture.
Professionally, who has influenced you the most? Gustav Klucis, John Heart-field, Alexander Rodchenko, Ben Shahn, and Andy Warhol.
Who is/was your greatest mentor in life? Bob Gill but he doesn't actually know this. T met him when I was a student in London in the '60s. He shook me up and tore me apart with his acute critiques, for which I would now like to thank him. So, thank you, Bob!
What is your greatest professional achievement? The design of the logo for the Israeli peace movement "Peace Now," in 1978. Since then, it has become an icon. I juxtaposed two very different fonts in this logo: 'Peace,' in black, classical, biblical Hebrew font and 'Now,' in a futuristic, modem font, in bright red. This logo influenced the whole range of political graphics in Israel. More than 20 years later it still looks fresh and new, and still represents the political attitude I believe in.
What is your greatest personal achievement? My daughter Ali, who is now 16 years old.
What is your work philosophy? When Mordechai Vaanunu (who is today in prison for revealing Israel's atomic secrets) was being driven to court, under heavy escort, he pressed the palm of his hand to the window of the car he was in, toward the newsmen surrounding the car. Written on the palm of his hand with black marker pen was die date in which he was kidnapped and the place from which he was brought to Israel by the Mossad agents-information that was prohibited for publication in Israel. Vaanunu acted like a visual communicator; he transmitted a direct message, in "real time," to the media. He did not ornament the message, nor did he hesitate over what font or what color to use, (or in what format.) He used the materials available to him cleverly and with originality, and created a harmony between the message and the manner in which it was transmitted. As a visual communicator I identify with Vaanunu, the "graphic designer," and with his way of communicating.
Do you have a favorite cause you like to work on? In the '80s I began to initiate, design and produce personal posters dealing with my society and its politics. I relate mainly to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and its effect on Israeli society.
Who/What is your favorite studio/designer? 1 have many, among them the french Grapus of the '80s, Alain Le Quernec, Pierre Bernard, Uwe Loesch, and Alex Jordan.
If you were to invite 1-5 personalities for a dinner conversation, who would they be? Andy Warhol, Charles Bukowsky Hannah Hoch, Vladimir Lenin, and Mickey Mouse.
What do you collect? Israeli ephemera: posters, board games, packaging, and tin toys. I use my collections in my work, as raw material. I also curate exhibitions dealing with the history of Israeli visual culture. My lexicon of Israel's '50s ephemera was published in 1996, and was a best seller.
What is your most valuable possession? Beside the time I have left, my most valuable possession is probably my collection of Israeli posters, which is the largest private collection in the country.
Do you have any hobbies? My collections are my hobby.
What is your greatest insecurity? Ariel Sharon, Israel's Prime minister.
If you were to retire tomorrow, what would you do with your free time? I would finish my writing on the history of Israeli graphic design and publish a new book. Photo by Vardi Kahana
Copyright Graphis Inc. May/Jun 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved
