The floating world of Tel Aviv (Ukiyoe) - Japanese Embassy, Tel Aviv 2023
The floating world of Tel Aviv (Ukiyoe) - Japanese Embassy, Tel Aviv 2023
ukiyoe - tel aviv
Drawing the floating world of Tel Aviv
location Japanese embassy, tel aviv
Date May 2023 - ongoing
Curator Fiammetta Martegani
Paul’s series celebrates 70 years of Japan-Israel relations and his decade in Israel. Inspired by ukiyo-e woodblock prints, each artwork blends Japanese aesthetics with fleeting moments of Tel Aviv life. Like the artworks? Click to order one of the limited prints here.
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This series centers around a nostalgic, Japanese-inspired interpretation of everyday sights around Tel Aviv. Paul is deeply inspired by the ukiyo-e style of Japanese prints.
The term 'Ukiyo-e' translates as 'Pictures of the Floating / Transitory World' with a suggestion that life and beauty are fleeting, and that people should revel in the pleasures of existence. I love this quote about this art style - “Live for the moment, look at the moon, the cherry-blossom and maple leaves… encounter with humor the poverty that stares you in the face and don't be discouraged by it, let yourself be carried along the river of life like a calabash that drifts down-stream, that is what ukiyo means."
The Artworks
2012 - From the Eastern Capital to the Western Capital
The artist moved from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv (near haTikva).
2013 - Business talks with brothers
Meeting two brothers with a startup idea that turned into a career and meeting his wife.2014 - A romantic evening along the north river
Location of the artist's first date with his wife.
2015 - Apartment near duck pond (Kikar Masaryk)
The artist's first apartment with his wife, he was proud to live in a Bauhaus building.
2016 - Urban Forest
After an abrupt career shift, this shows the artist going to Azrieli with his wife supporting him.
2017 - Elevated view of the ancient bay
Shows Jaffa where the artist moved to in 2017, from the office he started working at that year.
2018 - Painting
Celebrates the launching of “Drawing Tel Aviv” project as a creative outlet.
2019 - Marriage
Depicts a thirsty artist, and his wife, on a break from their photo shoots.
2020 - Sudden Gust
This infamous year started with a storm in January that drowned the artist’s new car.
2021- The lion confronting the serpent
Israeli iron dome protecting Israelis from the terror of rockets.
2021 - Birth of eldest son
Shows the artist driving back with his wife from the hospital after their son was born.2022 - Brothers swimming in the waves
The stubborn artist and his brother went swimming in the worst possible conditions when he visited.
