Sommer Contemporary Art on Rothschild Blvd in Tel Aviv courtesy of the gallery
Tel Aviv has a very fresh, inquisitive energy, and its arts scene is nothing less than cutting edge. Galleries abound here. On and around the stately, tree-lined central boulevard Sderot Rothschild, many of the streets are dotted with art spaces: including Sommer Contemporary Art, which showcases Israeli and international artists, and encourages budding curators by allowing them to organize small shows in their space. The Chelouche Gallery, located in a magnificent four-floor space on Mazeh Street known as the “Twin House,” features contemporary art of many media, from painting and sculpture to video and installation work. Beit Ha’ir’s space on Bialik Street once served as a Town Hall building; now it shows work by today’s artists and also hosts cultural events on its roof terrace. The up-and-coming Florentine neighborhood is often compared to New York’s Williamsburg, with its young vibe and population of hipsters. It’s home to Hezi Cohen gallery, which represents Israeli heavy-hitters like Sigalit Landau, Ron Amir, and Aviv Naveh. Also located in Florentine is the dynamic new Meshuna gallery—with its grungy walls hung floor to ceiling with works, it stretches the definition of art space in a fascinating way.
“Galleries abound here, showing work from the traditional to the abstract to the most provocative.”
Tel Avivians and visitors from all over the world wander in and out of these exhibition spaces, some perplexed by the mysteries of the latest conceptual folly, some at home in the realm of the avant-garde, still others seeking a classic oil on canvas by an Israeli master such as Reuven Rubin—and such treasures can be found.