MEA Weekly Picture from Israel 170322

Pictures from Israel

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Israel @ MEA 20170322 (V047) Life in Jerusalem – Art and Artists -4 Street Art

Moses in Jerusalem

To proclaim that Moses was ever in Jerusalem would be both right and wrong. Firstly, Moses was prohibited by God from entering the Promised Land at the end of his journey with the Israelites. However, Moses did appear in Jerusalem along with Elijah and Yeshua during the famous ‘transfiguration’ episode recorded Matthew 17:2. The picture above was discovered within the famous MehaneYehuda markets, and recalls another time when Moses was also with the Children of Israel.

Prominent British-born artist Solomon Souza, along with others, have spray painted and graffitied their way through the assortment of closed shutter-doors. Solomon Souza has painted approximately 140 shutter-doors including this one of Moses with the snake on his staff, a story from Numbers 21:9 which says, “Moses made a bronze snake and put it on the pole; if a snake had bitten someone, then, when he looked toward the bronze snake, he stayed alive.”

Unlike the busy weekdays in MehaneYehuda, Saturdays tell a very different story. The markets are closed and silent, the shutters are down and the people have vanished, for it is the Sabbath, a day of rest. Only a few pedestrians find their way through this labyrinth of about 360 shutter-door paintings, depicting scenes and characters which only come to life when the Markets are closed. The paintings feature Biblical characters, along with famous Jewish leaders, visionaries and heroes who have contributed to the  colourful religious and secular history of the Jewish people.

MehaneYehuda is also called the Shuk, where thousands of shoppers move around in an unending display of bustling sights, sounds and smells. During weekdays, hundreds of shops and stalls sell everything from fruit and vegetables to bread products, fish, meat, cheeses, nuts, seeds, wines and liquors, clothing and shoes, house ware and textiles. Along with the restaurants, juice bars, cafes and food outlets, there are many open air stalls selling Middle Eastern desserts such as halva and baklava.  Weekday evenings are also very busy, attracting the younger people to a night of relaxation and fun.

So, when you are next in Jerusalem, remember to  experience the street art cultural.

Copyright exists in all the material on this website and is owned by Messianic Education Australia Ltd. unless otherwise explicitly stated. This copyright extends to the images, logos, layout and presentation styles as well as the text material.

MEA Weekly Picture from Israel 170315

Pictures from Israel

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+Israel © MEA 29170315-Life in Jerusalem -Art and Artists – Bikes

Walking through the streets of Jerusalem presents an array of interesting and sometimes surprising works of Art. However, even though the bicycles lined up in this picture have another purpose, they accidentally collaborate in the world of conceptual art. Reaching to the sky, each bicycle signals its superiority over the other, demanding our attention to claim it and non other. Even the most forward bike is damaged, it tells us something of its story.

This ‘accidental’ public art installation is a classic example of line, shape and colour, with spatial perception that draws us through the lines of the spokes into the vastness of the sky. Tourists who might take to the streets on one of these bikes, will catch the attention of cars and pedestrians alike with the clock-like drums or flower pots sitting on top of the bicycle’s high masts.

These bicycles could easily typify Jerusalem’s residence: colourful, activity, energy, fun with the occasional accidents and drama. Overall, they speak of enjoying life no matter what the circumstances. The Hebrew word for life is “chai”.  So, the next time when you raise your wine glass in celebration or salute, remember Jerusalem as you shout out Lechaim… ‘to life’!

Copyright exists in all the material on this website and is owned by Messianic Education Australia Ltd. unless otherwise explicitly stated. This copyright extends to the images, logos, layout and presentation styles as well as the text material.