Many aspects of both Israeli and Palestinian cultures are overlooked by most people in the world because of the fixation on conflict. The Traveling Jerusalem Café is a multi-media experience including paintings, interviews, textiles, music, coffee and storytelling that shares an intimate encounter with everyday culture in Israeli (West) and Palestinian (East) Jerusalem. Azriel began to research Jerusalem's café houses at a time when the city was filled with tension and fear because of the second Intifada. First he explored West Jerusalem's café culture where he lived. He then crossed to the other side of the city, something rarely done by Jews, and explored East Jerusalem's café culture.
The artist recorded daily life of regular people on both sides of the city through paintings and interviewed café owners. Digitally enlarged images of the paintings are displayed along with the interviews, music mixes created by the cafes and various "props" such as Middle Eastern couches and pillows designed with expert designers in the Old City. The exhibition has been shown in Israel, the U.S., Canada, England, Portugal and Hungary and has drawn significant media attention.
The exhibit offers a fresh perspective on life in Jerusalem from an unexpected angle.
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