Gabirol: A Center for Culture and Arts in North TLV

Something cool and arty is happening on Ibn Gvirol Street in the old north of Tel Aviv, offering a refreshing alternative to the established galleries near Gordon Street and Rothschild Boulevard, and to the up-and-coming art neighborhood in South Tel Aviv.

Studios at Gabirol, picture by Tomer Appelbaum

In June 2014, BIT Ltd. and the Tel Aviv municipality joined forces to offer artists, from all disciplines (fine arts, music, and dance, just to name a few) studios at affordable rents in a complex called Gabirol. The legendary building of the former headquarters of Bezeq, Israel’s national telecom company, is the current host of the center’s activities – and will be until its planned demolition in a few months. Today, there are currently about 100 artists working from Gabirol, using 35 studios. The artists include both emerging and established names, such as Ronny Carny, Shasha Dothan, Maya Dunietz, Shlomi Elkabetz, Anisa Ashkar, Merav Rahat, Tchelet Ram and Gilad Ratman.

Artist Anisa Ashkar at her studio, picture by Guy Aon

The platform also hosts a non-for-profit gallery and for the late nighters, a (literally) underground bar and nightclub called the “Tahat” (Ass in Hebrew, pardon my French!).

Party at the Tahat, picture by Michael Shvadron

The 25 shows which have taken place in the gallery have included both solo and group exhibitions, with artists from different fields.

Invitations to the shows at Gabirol

On a personal note, I have had the chance to curate an exhibition this summer together with Gil Zeevi at Gabirol. We presented the works of over 15 artists who created pieces around the theme “Broken Relationships”. We were given a huge amount of freedom for this project, thanks to the open-mindedness and endless passion of Gabirol’s Artistic director and producer, Eyal Vexler.

Broken Relationships exhibition, with wall piece by FOMA, picture by Michael Shvadron

Next time you are in the quieter neighborhoods of the north Tel Aviv, head to Gabirol, a cultural center that will make you feel part of Tel Aviv’s creative and alternative art scene.

* Feature picture by Shay Lee Uziel