Before starting this project, the participants in the photography class had to agree on difficult concepts such as: what is street culture; where do we draw the line between vandalism and personal expression; how should we relate to this  phenomena -  should we condemn it or accept it as a person’s unique expression;  is graffiti art or vandalism?

Yarin, a 15 year old photographer from the class, added this note to one of his photos in the exhibit:

We need to pass a law in our city that every person who damages and vandalizes property will be severely punished by the local authorities and by the police.  This legislation could prevent a lot of destruction in Sderot.  But we also need to recognize that there are people (youths and adults) who are very artistic and we should set aside places where they can create amazing public street art and graffiti.

“Street Culture” is the third exhibit created and curated by the photography class since its first meeting two years ago.  “We see great importance in promoting social and community goals with our photography,” explains Haim Biton, a photography instructor at the Computer & Media Center.  “We decided to use photography as a tool for self-awareness, social communication and personal empowerment.  This exhibit, ‘Street Culture,’ is the final product of our students’ creative process, a process that encourages feelings of belonging to the community they live in, and helps them care what happens here.”

Sderot’s Computer & Media Center and the photography program are supported by the Gvanim Association and its partners.

In Israel today, 70% of the population between the ages 18-45, both Jewish and Arab, cannot afford to participate in cultural events more than once a year. 75% of Israel’s peripheral and marginalized communities suffer from high rates of unemployment and lack of government investment and therefore most of the citizens living in these areas are not exposed to significant cultural events. The Israeli-Arab community faces an even more complicated situation because it is underprivileged in many aspects and the development of art and culture are a low priority in resource planning by the authorities.

Festival BeShekel, a non-profit organization founded in 2001 by a group of artists and activists for social change, recognizes that culture and art are an essential component of a healthy and democratic society, contributing to the intellectual capital and economic vitality of our communities as well as our understanding of the human experience.

Festival BeShekel nurtures a culture of understanding by encouraging cultural and artistic cooperation and dialogue between Jews and Arabs living in mixed communities in Israel. Through our project we aim to empower and unify these mixed communities through a constant dialogue between equals held in the universal language of art, a language which can help overcome differences, co-create and co-exist. We believe that in this fragile time it is even more crucial to make coexistence and artistic expression a genuine possibility.

In the present situation of increasing economic crisis, as the social and economic divide widens between center and periphery regions, Festival BeShekel is working to decrease this divide through cultural production and strengthening community in the geographic, cultural and economic periphery. The Festival is not just a musical event; it is an entire social process that extends over the year leading up to the summer Festival. Throughout the year, the NGO works to strengthen trh local youth, which is involved with planning and producing all the events during the year, leading up to the finale—the national summer festivals. The local production group, Cultural Leaders, made up of 30 youth in each location, representing the wide range of communities and towns they come from—religious and secular, immigrants and old-timers, Jews and Arabs.

In 2008, Festival BeShekel came to Kiryat Malachi, where its impact was very real. One of the local peer mentors there said, after a successful event: “The kids [who participate in the planning process] said to me, “Who will even want to donate to our cause? Who will even attend the event? You don’t know Kiryat Malachi. People won’t even pay one shekel!” The event turned out amazing–something changed in the group and in me. We were very excited. I felt that the shared experience changed something in them, in the way they looked at their lives. What seemed impossible to them became reality. Suddenly, there was motivation that wasn’t there previously, that they could produce the whole festival on their own.” The local Cultural group continues planning cultural events in Kiryat Malachi throughout 2009, in partnership with the local municipality, and with continued guidance from Festival BeShekel staff.

Gilboa’s festival will feature: Zehava Ben, Sharif, Muki, Beit ha’Bubot, Eifoh ha’Yeled, and Peshutei ha’Am.

Jerusalem’s festival will host: Mercedez Band, Alma Zahar, Asaf Avidan, Ashkara Metim, Harel Moyal, and Idan Yaniv. And in Lod, the following groups will perform: Hadag Nahash, D.A.M, Achinoam Nini, Mira Awad, Michael Graylsamer, and Haim Ooliel.