"Threads":

We have met these women before, on street signs, archeological artifacts, in manuscripts, in paintings and photographs from yellowing newspapers … the Queen of Sheba, Empress Helena, Shlomzion Alexsandra, Hemda Ben Yehuda and more.  Many women have worked hard in the city of Jerusalem and contributed their time and efforts to changing the face of the city.  Ten leading Israeli fashion designers were paired with these women from the past and invited to create a contemporary outfit inspired by their character and the legacy that they left. 

The Tower of David Museum invites you to a one-time experience in contemporary fashion that embroiders history.  The stunning clothes will be on display at the Tower of David Museum together with a photographic exhibition of the clothes being modeled in different parts of the Old City by "models'" such as actress Keren Mor, writer Zeruya Shalev, choreographer Renana Raz, actress Dana Ivgy, singer Ester Rada.  Aluma, Raziella, Tamar Primak, Rachel Cohen and Karen Oberson are amongst the fashion designer chosen to participate in "Threads".

Both the designers and models have contributed their creativity, design and time to this exhibition.

Dina Glass designing for the Queen of Sheba.

Raziella designing for Shlmozion HaMalcha.

Tamar Primak designing for Queen Helena of Adiabene (Heleni HaMalka).

Lihi Hod designing for the Empress Helena.

Aluma designing for Melisende the Queen of Jerusalem.

Liora Taragon designing for Roxelana (Huram) the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent.

Rachel Cohen designing for Hemda Ben Yehuda.

Karen Oberson designing for Rachel Yanit Ben Zvi.

Alembika designing for Else Lasker-Schüler.

Anya Fleet designing for the heroine of the Agnon’s Jerusalem book “Shira”.

Curator: Tamar Karavan, fashion photographer and journalist

 "Suspicious Objects":

Product design inspired by Jerusalem

Jerusalem is of course a physical place, an ancient city, a modern day metropolis, a place but also an idea. Jerusalem is an object one that is yearned for and dreamed about.  The city and the skies above it are full of myths, beliefs, dreams and religions and therefore a city of contrasts, cultures and colors.  The city still serves as a source of inspiration for its residents and its visitors.  The city, its streets and its stones tell stories that are inspiration to artists, poets, writers and intellectuals from all religions and cultures.

Jerusalem has some good days and some less good days – and Jerusalemites know how to cope with both.  On the good days the word “object” can mean an interesting find or a souvenir of a great experience in visiting the city. On a less good day, the work changes and can mean a suspicion of menace and threat.

The exhibition features the work of designers inspired by the city of Jerusalem, works both exhibition in the past and those that were created specifically for this exhibition.  The designers chose to treat the familiar symbols of the city – buildings, streets and neighborhoods, as well as its stories and smells.  There is no doubt that the city of Jerusalem is an inexhaustible fountain of inspiration that contain thought-provoking stimuli capable of stoking multiple bursts of creativity.

The exhibition "Suspicious Objects" is going to be housed in the new exhibition room of the Tower of David located in the ancient Phasael Tower built originally by King Herod over 2000 years ago.  The view from the open window of the exhibition hall is that of the Old City of Jerusalem, the Western Wall and the Temple Mount – the very view that has inspired so many people for hundreds if not thousands of years, and still does today.  By partnering this breathtaking view with the exhibition, it enhances the audience's experience whilst looking at the "Suspicious Objects" inspired by Jerusalem.

Curator: Tal Gur, industrial designer and Senior lecturer at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem.