Dalya Israeli

My Wish

Israel, 2010

Necklace

Materials:

18k gold

Techniques:

The pendant is made out of 2 pieces carved

in wax, made into gold, and then sutured

together with 2 gold beads inside. Polished

and brushed.

Dimension in cm:

3.9 x 1.4,  Chain 80cm

Artist Statement:

This piece expresses My Wish.

During my childhood growing up in

Jerusalem I spent many hours walking

through the markets and looking through

the treasures on the small streets of the

"Old City", a place where the three religions

try to live side by side.

I wanted to create an object that looks like a

religious item without knowing which

religion or what it is for. It's universal and

could be used by Jews, Christians and

Muslims and it looks like it has been used

for many years.

That idea symbolizes my wish - that people

will be connected and respect each other

despite their differences and different

religious beliefs, and can coexist in one

place - a land that is important for all -

Israel.

What was your starting point or your

inspiration for doing this project?

During my childhood growing up in

Jerusalem I spent many hours walking

through the markets and looking through

the treasures on the small streets of the "old

city", a place where the three religions try to

live side by side. The feeling of mystery was

in the air. That feeling was my starting

point.

Do you have a personal (or other)

connection to the exhibition’s theme?

I live in Israel and grew up in Jerusalem.

My memories are of a more friendly

relationship between people of different

religions. It's my wish to feel today those

naïve feeling I felt as a child.

What were the main reasons for choosing

the materials, shapes or technique in your

work?

The pendant is made out of 2 pieces that are

sutured together because I wanted to put 2

gold beads inside.

The gold chain is long so when you walk it

moves and makes a sound like a bell that

adds to the mystery.   I chose to use a

precious metal - gold and give it a brush

finish. It gives a feeling of an old yet

mysterious object.

What kind of feeling you wish the viewers

will get from your work?

I would like my viewers to feel the mystery. I

would like them to think this is a religious

object that has been used for many years,

but not know which religion or what it is

for. It's universal and could serve everyone.

If you could give your Jewelry to an

important figure in the Middle East who

will he/she be? and why?

I would like to give it to three young women

who have my wish - to create a reality

where people are connected and respect

each other despite their differences and

different religious beliefs and coexist in a

land that is important for all - Israel - and

who are committed to work together to

make this wish a reality.

Personal information:

personal website:

http://www.mitchatnim.co.il/members/

dalyaisraeli/

Artist links:

http://www.facebook.com/dalya.israeli?

success=1

http://www.israel-designers.org/

Inspiring artists:

Alberto Giacometti

Top 3 materials:

Gold, Wood and colorful stones [green is

my favorite-emerald]

If I wasn’t an artist what profession would I

choose?

I would love to be a dancer.

My dream is

To always be able to create what I love