Holon exhibit gives artistic teens chance to express themselves

More than 1,000 teenagers from eight high schools in Holon got to express their emotions about the coronavirus and its limitations on life in “Zoom In,” a new exhibit opening outside, and online, on the Holon municipal website (as of February 2).

The participating students are those studying communications, film, and art at each of the high schools. The outdoor exhibit, which opened January 20 and closes April 3, is part of Holon’s annual Israeli Season of Design.

“I used to be a communications teacher,” said curator Galit Bar-El, “and I was thinking about how school being closed and the lack of outlets for (the students’) creativity, must be so confining. It’s hard to know what teens are thinking, but this allows a small window into their world.”

The exhibit was organized by the municipality’s education department, inviting the students to document and create art despite the challenges that existed during Israel’s first lockdown, which began last March.

A photograph by Holon high school student Noy Yesharim for Zoom In, a coronavirus exhibit opening January 20, 2021. (Courtesy Noy Yesharim)

Their videos, viral recordings, movies, stills and drawings showed the students, their families, homes, bedrooms, hobbies, friends and holidays in the shadow of the pandemic.

Students became directors and actors in their films, while their bedrooms became editing rooms. Videos described life during that first lockdown, when Israelis had to stay home, venturing only 100 meters from their house.

The first part of the show is the 26 oversized photographs and drawings displayed on a major traffic circle in Holon on the Weizmann Street.

The digital exhibit will include all of the artworks, and can be entered as of February 2, 2021, said Bar-El.

“The students will guide you through this virtual museum,” she said. “We created a space that allows audiences to see everything.”