Creating together and separately - "The Garthening"
Sirkin Street in Talfiot market in Haifa, has emerged in recent years as a creative space that brings together artists and creators from different fields and places. Some are local and some came to Haifa from other cities and decided to settle and create here.
Recently, on one of the weekends, I chanced upon a fascinating event held by a number of artisans on Sirkin Street in Talpiot Market. It was a kind of joint exhibition, in which young creators from different genres of art took part: Shahar Sivan, Dafna Mein, Ido Zak, Alon Barel, Tair Dan, Rotem Atar and other artists, each of them having their own space where they create and exhibit their works.
"The Garthening" • Creating together and separately
The Foundation Pub (HQRN)
At the end of 2018, Sirkin began the process of entering the spaces, renovating them and turning them into studio spaces and community spaces. All of this took place as part of the Hadrim project which deals with physical and social urban renewal in the old city center of Haifa, in cooperation with local communities, the Haifa Municipality, third sector organizations operating in the neighborhood, philanthropy and academia.
Together with a number of local activists and artists, Shahar Sion, a local artist and social activist, initiated a joint project in which they all renovated the spaces together, while at the same time everyone worked on their professional and personal development. This is how an active and prosperous group of artists working in Sirkin was built and grew.
connecting art and community
When they finished renovating, the artists settled in the spaces. A community pub was opened in the common space where, even these days, social events are held that are meant to connect art with the community, lectures, exhibitions, model drawing evenings, local festivals (comics, documentaries, etc.) are just some of the diverse and special activities that take place there.
Tair Dan, an artist in the project:
We wanted there to be something significant and unusual here. There are really amazing things here. Every day they do something new: exhibitions, chefs who come to cook, bands who are just starting out. We are trying to promote the painters in Haifa. The place has been open for several years and it works really well, there is a lot to do.
Inviting and intimate
The place is not big, but definitely inviting and pleasant. It has a stage and alcohol bar, seating. and it hosts exhibition evenings, workshops, performances and countless other unique events that you won't find in many places. Make an impression that those who operate the place do not rest for a moment and are constantly looking to innovate and open options for special and interesting events for the audience.
Shahar Sion's studio
A versatile artist and chef
Shahar Sion was born in Jerusalem in 1977. For many years he lived and worked in Haifa. Among his projects are solo and group exhibitions. Sivan creates in wood, works in sculpture, engraving, burning, carving, engraving, drawing and printing. He is a founding member of the group of the "Prophets" art school in Haifa, a member of the group of the "HQRN" foundation which he founded, managed for a decade the studio "Namela Haifa" in the lower city and was a founding partner in the "Hagaf" and "Hagaf II" galleries. Sivan also founded the "Venia Bistro" restaurant where he served as head chef and also functioned as an executive chef at "Fatush-Bar Gallery".
Wood aromas and a creative atmosphere
Shahar's studio impresses from the first moment you enter it. The smell of the wood, the atmosphere, his unique and touching works, will not let you remain indifferent. Sivan's work area, where the raw materials from which he creates are concentrated, immediately ignites the imagination and curiosity about his way of working and his sources of inspiration.
A place for singing
Literature, writing, meeting
A place for singing was established in Haifa two years ago. The organization originally began in Jerusalem in 2002. Amazing pictures decorate the walls of the place and an impressive amount of books are arranged on the shelves and immediately arouse the desire to read... People who are interested in literature come here to participate in writing, poetry, prose, translation workshops, as well as to take part in events held for The general public like New book launches, meetings with creators, poets, writers. The place is intended both for people who are looking to develop as writers and for an audience that simply loves literature and culture.
"Poetry Place"
Rotem Atar, the manager of the place and the initiator, is engaged in translating prose and poetry from French and English and even won the Minister of Culture's award for translation in 2019. Atar invites everyone to visit the "Poetry Place" pages on Instagram and Facebook (search - "Poetry Place") and to come physically to the events.
The community garden in Sirkin
Ido Zak holds a degree in comparative literature from Ben Gurion University in Be'er Sheva and has a background and experience in teaching. He started volunteering at the community garden in Bat Galim and today he is already leading the activity at the community garden in Sirkin. Ido was so full of motivation and overwhelming positivity, that even after some time had passed since our meeting, the smile did not leave my face.
Great collaborations
Ido says: "We are in a strip full of events. There are all kinds of collaborations with the artists on Sirkin Street and Garden - a local produce market was established with stalls of works that people make, such as carving works, special corona masks, handmade baskets, jewelry, DJ, food, drinks, face makeup. It's a really successful collaboration. In addition, as part of the project, creator and artist Alon Barel presents his works at the Lost Shipka gallery.'
Alon Barel:
I entered the studio at the beginning of September in 2021. The place was abandoned for 15 years, I renovated and raised it. It is also going to be used for my works, mainly for prints and paintings. There are going to be collaborations with many other artists, performances, photography and more.
Dafna's "fontana".
"Fontana" is a second Yesh shop at 5 Sirkin St. owned by Dafna Mein. There you can not only buy stunning clothes, but also get a cup of coffee, listen to good music and enjoy the atmosphere.
"The greatest city in the world!"
Daphne has a surprising story: she worked in high-tech in Tel Aviv for several years, when at a certain point she realized she needed a change. She says that she has always loved fashion and clothes, and so, without thinking too much and deliberating, she decided that she was leaving the big city, her job, her partner and moving to Haifa, and so she did.
bay:
I opened the place three months ago. I have always loved clothes. Before that I worked in high-tech, I had a partner for many years, I was a programmer, I lived in Tel Aviv and I hated my life. I left everything and moved to Haifa - the greatest city in the world! The store is second hand and is very fun. There is coffee, pastries, everything is vegan except for the chocolate I bring. The place is also a meeting place. People can come on the laptop and work here with fun.
It's really a lovely and pleasant place, and it has a special atmosphere. The great coffee, pastries and chocolate, Dafna's attitude and her smile make you want to stay. Amazing place with special clothes.
Welcome to Fontana, Sirkin 5:
- Monday from 14:00 to 22:00
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday between 12:00 and 18:00
- Friday between 11:00 and 17:00
Mazo Gallery
Mazo Gallery was opened in September 2021 by a number of artists and urban planners to present their works. They create sound works, dance, installation, plastic or traditional art. Its purpose is to be a space for presenting art in an accessible, available and everyday way, one that exists alongside life on the street.
Mazo Gallery, Sirkin 3, you are welcome to take a look:
- Wednesday between 10:00 and 16:00
- Thursday between 16:00 and 20:00
- Friday between 10:00 and 16:00
Come!
Such and similar events are often held in the Sirkin area, you can come and enjoy the varied works of the artists and be impressed by the fruitful and communal work of a group of young people full of inspiration and creative joy. It is important to note that each and every one's studio here is open to the public on a daily basis, and it is highly recommended to come and absorb some of the atmosphere and creative spirit made in Haifa.
Without a municipal investment of tens of millions of NIS in renewing the infrastructure, Sirkin will not recover and the community garden looks like my troubles.
We had a wholesale business at Sirkin 4. The street lost its greatness in the nineties of the last century. I no longer believed it would recover.. What a beauty in a place that has had galleries in the last days.
Sirkin 5 was a warehouse of green coffee in sacks that came from all over the world. My grandfather opened the warehouse there in 1933, my father continued after him and Ario my husband Nissim Bacher and I with him. We arranged a place there that would look like an office and later there was the warehouse with piles of green coffee bags that we would market to the roasters in Haifa and the north. The roasting houses in Nazareth were all our customers and so were the surrounding villages.
The consumption of coffee from the roasters gradually decreased due to the increased use of instant coffee bought in supermarkets. And from here many roasteries were closed. Those who remained would buy the coffee directly from the importers. So there was no longer any point in holding the place. We closed the warehouse in 1990.
Sirkin 5 that I had as a second home was closed. But the memories accompany me to this day.
They want to come, but the advertising of the events must also be renewed and adapted to the 21st century and in contrast to the congregating and shamed culture of Japan so that these initiatives do not fade away. And it's not about billboards and campaigns, God forbid
Sirkin's artists in Haifa are extraordinary. Excellent, congratulations to you. Have a good week.
Great article, thank you very much. I am so happy to see such an artistic movement in my beloved city. I will come to visit the places mentioned.
It is enough to see the name of Shahar Sivan, to know that this is a creative success at its best. A talented artist and a tireless creator. An asset to the city