TEL AVIV, Israel – Upon entering the MUSA Museum, visitors are confronted with a life-size, highly polished, stainless-steel Igloo, reflecting its desert-like surroundings. This is the response of Ronen Bavly, founder of Magenta Workshop, to the theme of “First Person. Second Nature” set out by the Tel Aviv Craft and Design Biennale. Bavly juxtaposes the archetypical structure invented centuries ago as a means to survive the extreme weather in a new context, thus commenting on human interaction with nature.

E-gloo reflects and replicates the local landscape, and distorts its surroundings, blinding and warming the viewers while echoing vanishing traditions and melting glaciers. While humorously pointing out the dystopian consequences, yet to come to our planets.

The e-gloo was meticulously constructed by hand while using a complex mathematical computation to recreate the classical, clean form of the traditional structure. Sealed like a burial structure, the reflective stainless steel building raises questions about the role of humans in the world and their responsibility to nature. Unlike a traditional igloo, which when no longer in use, dissolves into a puddle of water, e-gloo is a memorial monument to a simpler time.

Curated by a team of Israel’s top design professionals, the Biennale presents a challenging perspective on material creation, expanding and highlighting the cultural, social and visual dialogue between art, craft and design. The connections created between past, present and future partake in the continually evolving narrative of local material culture.

About Magenta: Magenta-workshop is a product design and manufacture studio based in Israel. The studio was established by Ronen Bavly in 1992. The studio employs craftsman, product and graphic designers, all working in collaboration. This particular synergy creates a dynamic, fast and surprising development processes.

About Tel Aviv Crafts and Design Biennale: The Biennale brings together different manifestations of contemporary craft and design in Israel. Shedding a spotlight on the local scene, the Biennale maps the scope of these creative spheres, identifies resemblances and differences, and explores new directions.