Yigal Gawze "Fragments of a Style: International Style Architecture in Tel Aviv" at the Czech Center, Prague

Fragments of a Style: International Style Architecture in Tel Aviv is a personal inquiry into the aesthetics of an architectural style which has largely defined the urban fabric of Tel Aviv. In this photographic essay, I have tried to capture the spirit of this architecture by examining the subtle interplay of light, surfaces and volumes.

This project began in 1993, at a time when the city was rediscovering its architectural heritage of the 1930s.  A new awareness of the qualities hidden in its decaying Bauhaus buildings, brought about a wave of renovation and restoration.  

The abstract geometry created by the white facades protruding into space against the backdrop of the blue sky was my point of departure.  Later, the harsh outdoor light was replaced by the warm light of the stairwells, where I focused on past craftsmanship which is present in the fine detailing of the railings, stairs and windows. 

I chose to work in color in order to better convey the character and the atmosphere created by the local light. The shadow of the palm tree falling on the white façade, represents the special encounter that takes place in Tel Aviv, between an architectural style originating in Europe and the Mediterranean glare. 

Fragments of a Style, with its sharp perspectives, is also a tribute to the zeitgeist as it was expressed in the work of avant-garde photographers of the 1920s.

Beyond the obvious nostalgic air, Modernism is lit up here in all its current relevance.