jerusalem design week 2023 explores the power of lies and falsehoods

Jerusalem design week RETURNS for 2023

Jerusalem Design Week 2023 makes a highly anticipated return for its 12th edition at the renowned Hansen House Center for Design, Media, and Technology. From June 22-29, the event showcases a diverse range of exhibitions, installations, and projects, highlighting the works of Israeli and international designers. With its thought-provoking theme of ‘Lies and Falsehoods,’ JDW aims to shed light on the escalating issue of deception in the digital age and its impact on trust, authenticity, and truth.

(above) snippet from Jerusalem Design Week 2022

(banner) Agency For Unseen Sights, Esmee Willemsen, photo Nico Fritzenschaft

all images courtesy of Jerusalem Design Week 

JDW 2023: ‘Lies and Falsehoods’

Launched in 2011, Jerusalem Design Week is the largest and most influential public event dedicated to design in Israel, with a variety of events, shows, and international and local exhibitions. Being the flagship project of Hansen House, JDW initiates and hosts extensive and diverse activities to promote the artistic side of Jerusalem with Israeli and international designers. Every year, the event focuses on one theme, exploring local situations that carry an international relevance.  

Jerusalem Design Week 2023 seeks to explore and celebrate the pivotal role of designers within this context. The annual experience hosts projects that delve into the significance of illusions, which can conceal and deceive, giving rise to parallel realities. Simultaneously, it features creations that embrace transparency, honesty, as well as a pursuit of authenticity amongst the deceit that surround us, also made clear by the theme’s title, ‘Lies and Falsehoods.’

Bound to Move by Maya Kaplan

thought-provoking installations and immersive spaces

Throughout the week, Hansen House’s spaces come alive with installations and performances, representing various design disciplines. Visitors can experience captivating immersive spaces, such as HQ Architects’ shadow play on Hansen House’s façade or Nohlab’s transformative animation and sound installation in the attic. Other highlights include Tamar Nix’s textile installation evoking the softness of clouds and Studio Ma’s synthetic garden reflecting the disruption of urban nature.

Non-Garden, Designers: Studio MA of Moria Architects

The event also features engaging collaborations, including Shahar Kedem’s exploration of taxidermy and the human-nature relationship at the Museum of Natural History. Additionally, an exhibition curated by Dr. Johnathan Ventura and Galit Shvo delve into conscripted design, revealing how consumer goods serve as mechanisms for propagating social messages. Moreover, TYPOMANIA, a graphic design group, presents a poster exhibition using black and white to respond to the theme of truths and lies.

JDW 2023 also engages with Jerusalem’s urban myths through the ‘Matchmaker’ project, connecting designers, tour guides, and storytellers to create souvenirs that encapsulate the stories of iconic buildings. The event prioritizes support for non-commercial design projects, fostering the commissioning of new works and the acquisition of public resources. 

Time Capsule by FUTURE POSITIVE – Nir Goeta & Rotem Goeta

Gate by Ori Shifrin Anavi, photo Michael Shvadron

Tidhar Zagagi

Real Fake: Souvenirs From Moses Wilhem Shapira’s Workshop, Anat Golan, photo Shay Ban Efraim

Spinning wheel by Noam Ina Kisch, Yuval Ayali

LOOP-X-MACHINA 2.1 by Nevo Himmelhoch

Artifacts by Naama Agassi

Yosef Mashiach & Guy Moses, photo Daniel Hanoch

Byson by Avihai Mizrahi, Neil Nenner (photo by the designers)

project info:

name: Jerusalem Design Week 2023 | @jlmdesignweek

general and content directors: Smadar Tsook and Ran Wolf, Ran Wolf Company

curators: Dana Benshalom, Sonja Olitsky, and Dr. Jeremy Fogel
dates: 22-29 June, 2023
location: Hansen House, 14 Gedalyahu Alon St, Jerusalem, Israel

The Jerusalem Design Week is an initiative of the Jerusalem Ministry and the Jerusalem Development Authority, and is held under the direction of Hansen House and Ran Wolf company.