As well as being a perfect holiday spot, it was named The White City by UNESCO (World Cultural Heritage Site) for its abundant Bauhaus architecture. The city is small with a surprising amount to see. All can be done in a leisurely stroll down its many boulevards, ending up on the beach. What bliss.
ARTPORT
WEBSITE: WWW.ARTPORTLV.ORG
VISIT TIME: 30-40 MINUTES
Artport is an artist residency project space (they are just relocating to a new space and will reopen in October 2018) with a clever rotation system of 6 local Israeli artists on an annual residency, mixed with 8-10 international artists taking a residency for a 3 month period. Wondering through the studios (there are a shared kitchen and office spaces) you sense that the work on display is in progress, and the artists are learning and developing their practices based on their experiences and contact with their new environment. The project is funded by the Ted Arison Family Foundation and is exemplary of how private funding can have innovative community and educational properties. I look forward to seeing what space they manage to secure next.
CCA
WEBSITE: CCA.ORG.IL
VISIT TIME: 30-40 MINUTES
If a building ever made you suck through your teeth, the CCA in Tel Aviv is it. But where the architecture might be lacking, the programme compensates. Originally dedicated to time-based work (film and video art), the CCA commissions and promotes exhibitions of contemporary practices from Israel and abroad. The two exhibition halls often show monographic shows and boast being the first place to exhibit works by now prominent Israeli superstars such as Ori Gersht and Yael Bartana. Their international presence is impressive with Marina Abramovic and, most recently, Candice Breitz appearing on the roster. Maybe approach the building in a light jog and keep your eyes closed until you reach the threshold.
DESIGN MUSEUM HOLON
WEBSITE: WWW.DMH.ORG.IL
VISIT TIME: 1 HOUR, 20 MINUTES CAB RIDE FROM CENTRAL TEL AVIV
Though technically in another city, the Design Museum Holon is a 15 minutes car journey from central Tel Aviv. The collection displays historical Israeli design from the 1930s to 2000 and then including international design from 2000 onwards. Teetering on the line of nostalgia, you will see everything from radios to glasses, bicycles and street signs. Taking in the sweeping bright curves of the building itself, designed by Ron Arad is perhaps the best part of the visit. The exhibition programme is interesting and you can see some of Israel’s youngest and brightest displayed in a stunning setting.
TEL AVIV MUSEUM OF ART
WEBSITE: WWW.TAMUSEUM.ORG.IL
VISIT TIME: 1-1.5 HOURS
The museum has recently had a major facelift with a brand new designer wing. The two spaces are linked by a bridge and the contrast of the old and the new typifies the development of the city architecture as a whole; brutalist 50’s vs. slick contemporary design (by Preston Scott Cohen). The permanent collection illustrates the development of Israeli art since the foundation of the nation, as well as some nice impressionist and c20th works donated by various wealthy patrons. The temporary displays are hit or miss. Look out for the Roy Lichtenstein mural in the foyer of the old building.
THE WHITE CITY
VISIT TIME: 3 HOURS SLOW WALKING TOUR, WITH STOPS FOR COFFEE AND ICE CREAM
In effect, the city is your museum. There is a dedicated museum on Bialik Street with a small display, but for those wishing to view the city through the prism of Bauhaus architecture, I would head to the Bauhaus Centre (Dizingoff Street 77) and buy a map that highlights where you can see the living architecture. They also offer guided tours. Though many of the buildings are residential, some house very good coffee shops and restaurants and I would factor a coffee of lunch into the walk time. Take sunscreen.