Visiting Artist to speak about "Confluence: Israel"

Israeli-based artist Ohad Zlotnick traveled to the United States for one thing: to visit Art Center Sarasota. An exhibition of his work featured in "Confluence: Israel" opened last night.

There's a piece featuring three 3D Hebrew letters in steel — one black, one white and one red. In the middle of the gallery as the first thing to catch viewer's eyes, is the full 3D Hebrew alphabet in cardboard. These were shipped flat to the center, and when Zlotnick arrived, he glued them all together. He has recently started exploring the English alphabet in 3D.

Shosh Dagan, a well-known Israeli curator, curated the exhibit. At first she thought, "Well, maybe I should bring famous artists." However, for the last 14 years, Dagan's work has been promoting the up-and-coming talent. Naturally, of course, she's worked with some of the biggest Israeli artists today when they were still unknown to the greater population.

The exhibit features emerging Israeli artists. Although, a well-known photographer Yosef Joseph Dadoune has a few images as well as a video on display telling a symbolic story through teens marching a military missilel in the desert.

Other impressive work is embroidered street scenes of Israel as realistic as a painting by artist Aviv Gad Keller. Artist Boris Nekrasov has two standout pieces on display in the exhibit. They are stained and painted pieces of recycled wood.

In all, there are ten artists on display through April 25 in the free exhibit. "Confluence: Israel" is in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Sarasota County.

Today, at 2 p.m. Zlotnick will speak about his work and process in an Artists Talk at Art Cetner Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail.