Kutiman – Artist of the Season

 

We are delighted to open the first full season of culture with Kutiman as the chosen artist who created, especially for the Season, an original work inspired by a wide array of local musicians who live and create in Jerusalem. 

 

After completing the teaser, My Trip to Jerusalem, a few months ago (a work based on a two-day visit in the city and an intensive period of creative filming and editing) it was time for the real thing. The work was uploaded to the web on June 15. 

You can read more about Kutiman's fascinating journey on our website blog.

 

Thru-Jerusalem, Kutiman's latest work, is the result of a musical journey that lasted a number of weeks and included visits to a number of different musicians in the city. Kutiman stopped off in apartments, ventured out into the open air (in the backdrop of the stunning Jerusalem landscape) and visited the rehearsal rooms of local creative artists to record their work. 

 

 

 Among other artists appearing on the resultant video piece are musicians such as blues artist Lazer Lloyd (who after a short visit to a rabbi changed his life completely despite being signed by Atlantic Records), Guy Mar from HaDag Nahash, Safi Suede - one of the most important Kanun players in the world; the ultimate marching band - Marsh Donderma, Emanuel Wizthum on the viola and a few dozen musicians of different ages, different ethnic backgrounds and who play different instruments-but all of which derive from the city. 

 

Kutiman worked his magic and produced an amazing 5-minute long work which documents the emotional journey he took in the city. He alternates between optimism and despair, between the future and the past, between the new and the ancient and ends the video with a mantra of harmonious and emotional prayer. The work itself is made up of a collection of unique footage of the city and in essence this is, in fact, represent the unique "sound" of the city. 

 

Kutimans former work, Thru-you, a visual composition that is considered to be one of the most significant musical breakthroughs of recent years; brought together a series of unconnected YouTube videos to form a new viral sensation. His work was described by Time Magazine as one of the most important inventions in the world in 2009. His work has been exhibited all over the world including the Guggenheim Museum in New York. 

 

Every year the Season will select a chosen artist who will accompany the Season and will present a new original work inspired by the city.