Most of the big cities have a lot in common and function similar, poorer areas for instance. They are defined by their unrenovated buildings, cafes, bars and alternative shops and inhabitants with less income. Most likely one will find young people living there – They design the area. They’re responsible for its vibes and keep it alive. Like in Tel Aviv’s Florentine.
Even though there are already a few new or renovated buildings, the quarter’s charm is kept by the old houses which don’t hide their age and what happened to them. They are surrounded by the highest amount of pet shops in Tel Aviv, kiosks, bars, restaurants, supermarkets and people on the lively streets.
When going further to the west, one will unquestionably experience a new building complex which stands out as a “foreign” object.
This complex completely separates itself from its surrounding. It’s architecture with the round shapes. The usage of wooden material and the enormous impression of a giant, one gets by seeing it, gives the impression of reverence. As if, one should take stock before entering the area.
Even by entering the place one will be reminded on the separation – the whole floor is designed by using wooden slats. From time to time they move up and down again, guiding to a shaped bench of concrete. It seems like a miniature skate part. One feels like being miniature, because everything around is enormous. In between the buildings, one stands in their own shadow – in the dark – while their top is lightened by sun-rays.
While walking in these canyons of wood and glass one also meets the attempt to implement nature in something which is planned from the beginning until the very end: Trees, that were give a small whole, filled with soil. As dumb witnesses they show the desire to structure and separate – even the trees.
However it is supposed to host many shops in most of its ground floors which means that the inhabitants don’t necessarily have to leave their “quarter” anymore – isolation.
I think it is interesting which brutality was used to implement those buildings in this area – showing no harmony to any of its neighbouring buildings. It gives the feeling of having left the area which it is surrounded by completely. One is in another world – in a more fancy one, in which the inhabitants and rents for sure will differ from the quarter’s general population.
(Photo number 9 was published in Lichtwolf – “Magazine despite philosophy” in 2015.)
