Parallel Histories: 1948 to Today

Celebrating seven decades, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. On that very same day, U.S. President Harry S. Truman recognized the new nation.

Coincidentally, the Sagamore Hotel Miami Beach was built in 1948 by renowned architect Albert Anis. Originally, it was identified by its post-modern architecture and Art Deco neon sign. As the hotel evolved, it became known as “The Art Hotel.”

It was unforeseen that both Israel and Miami Beach would go through such tremendous transformations. Both flourished, serving as sanctuaries for displaced people following World War II. Now, the Peace 70 exhibition Sagamore Hotel acknowledges these parallel journeys.

The Exhibition: A Multicultural Celebration

Curated by Ronit Neuman and resident art advisor Sebastien Laboureau, Peace 70 pays tribute to the creativity of established and emerging artists. Sponsored by BHI, this unique platform commends peace and friendship among various beliefs.

Mayor Dan Gelber praises the initiative:

“I praise the iconic Sagamore Hotel for this extraordinary concept honoring Israel through multicultural art. I believe exceptional artists have the power and sensitivity to showcase peace and inclusivity.”

As a nod to the city, Sagamore has partnered with HistoryMiami Museum. Together, they feature historical photographs of Miami Beach from the 1950s. Additionally, local artist Bibi Andrade transforms original Art Deco pictures into her signature cartoon illustrations.

Artist Spotlights: The Talent Behind Peace 70

Throughout the exhibit, guests can preview pieces by well-known and rising talents. Here is a closer look at the visionary artists featured in the Peace 70 exhibition Sagamore Hotel.

Yigal Ozeri
Debuting in Miami, world-acclaimed Israeli hyper-realist painter Yigal Ozeri brings an ethereal sensibility to his work. Best known for large-scale cinematic portraits, Ozeri conveys the spirit of his subjects with seductive power. Notably, he will paint a portrait of Shimon Peres to donate to the Peres Center for Peace.

Amit Shimoni (HIPSTORY)
A professional illustrator, Amit Shimoni brings a sense of adventure to the show. His famous series, HIPSTORY, reimagines the world’s greatest leaders as modern-day hipsters. Originally starting as an academy project, Shimoni’s colorful work has now been featured in Wired, Vice, and Comedy Central.

Matan Ben Cnaan
Matan Ben Cnaan combines biblical narratives with contemporary themes. Significantly, he is the first and only Israeli artist to receive 1st place in the prestigious BP Portrait Award (2015) at The National Portrait Gallery in London. His work exposes the viewer to complex moral dilemmas through “scene painting.”

Hanoch Piven
Since 1992, the witty illustrations of Hanoch Piven have appeared in Time, Newsweek, and Rolling Stone. Piven engages the viewer through collage, using common objects to create portraits. Frequently, he conducts workshops that allow children and adults to communicate through this creative process.

Sigal Tsabari
Sigal Tsabari engages in a pursuit after nature. ** almost scientifically**, she follows the development of plants growing on her balcony. In her work, the growth of a plant serves as a metaphor for the growth of a person. Themes of sexuality and motherhood comprise an important aspect of her stunning imagery.

Peter Halmagyi
Born in Hungary, Peter Halmagyi has 30 years of experience as a photojournalist. Historically, he worked with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and served as the official personal photographer for Shimon Peres. His lens has captured celebrities and politicians in more than 140 countries.

Ella Amitay Sadovsky
Uniquely, Ella Amitay Sadovsky works as both an artist and a scientist. She holds a PhD from The Weizmann Institute of Science. In addition to painting, she creates stop-motion video performances. Currently, she teaches at Shenkar College of Engineering and Design.

Oren Eliav
Oren Eliav deals with the mental relationship between viewer and painting. His work presents a deceptive territory where cultural knowledge and the physical act of seeing compete. Repeatedly, he exposes the tense relations between “Seeing” and “Believing.”

Carmel Ilan
Today, Carmel Ilan works exclusively with paper. Her flickering landscapes consist of dense rows of paper, which she folds and fastens via laborious work. Paper scraps, which were once a tree, resume being forest images. Thus, she preserves the sense of cyclical growth imprinted in their material memory.

Eran Shakine
Born to Holocaust survivors, Eran Shakine works in painting, sculpture, and site-specific public art. Previously, he lived in New York City as the assistant to COBRA artist Karel Appel. Recently, he exhibited a major solo show at the Jewish Museum in Berlin.

Lee Yanor
Artist and filmmaker Lee Yanor works at the seam where art, dance, and technology interweave. Her video installations and holograms offer an intense sense of movement and rhythm. Yanor is the winner of The Constantiner Photography Award.

Special Features & Partners

Zemack Contemporary Art (ZCA)

As one of the leading galleries in Tel Aviv, ZCA delivers a fresh perspective on contemporary art. Since 2010, ZCA has had a notable impact on the Israeli art scene. By taking an active part in the global dialogue, they support and promote Israeli artists in major international markets.

Visit the Peace 70 exhibition Sagamore Hotel to witness this historic collaboration. Sagamore Hotel Miami Beach | 1671 Collins Avenue