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Michael Lazar/Doron Polak
Michael Lazar was born in 1971 in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada and immigrated with his family to Israel when he was 10. He currently lives and works in Tel Aviv. Michael is a self-taught professional artist with over 15 years experience. His work ranges from photography, to performance art and installations. Together with a fellow artist, Marc Lewis, he developed a unique style of sculpting – the forming of figurative sculpture out of sheet metal (bronze, aluminum, steel, copper), without the use of heat and without using the traditional methods of casting. This technique gained much respect and admiration and has placed the work in great demand. Michael is currently working with Doron Polak on examining the connection between the earth and the body. This has led to numerous joint photographic studies, public performances and installations.
In addition to his artistic career, Michael is also a successful scientist. With a Ph.D. in geophysics, he is often invited to lecture on the boundary between art and science. Recently, he has shifted his focus to this combination using cutting edge, contemporary artistic language and technology.
Michael has shown in over 50 exhibitions around the world and his work has been purchased by many important private and public collectors. His art has been exhibited across Europe (including Kassel Germany; Venice Italy; Paris France; London England; Barcelona Spain; Vidin Bulgaria; Vilnius Lithuania), the US (Los Angeles, Dallas, New York), Asia (Singapore, Malaysia) and Russia (St. Petersburg). Some of the venues include Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) in Barcelona, Spain; Goldsmiths University of London; Tina-B Festival of Contemporary Art, Prague; ArtExpo Malaysia and more.
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untitled, photography, 2013
I bury my head in shame. I cannot look at the situation any more. I do not want to be a part of what is going on. I ignore it. But that does not mean it goes away. I cannot see it. Therefore it does not exist. I am wrong of course. It exists. The hatred. The bigotry. The racism. I try to turn a blind eye, but get an eye full of sand. I shove sand in my ears so I do not have to hear the cries of my fellow man. I shove sand in my mouth so I do not have to taste the bitterness of discrimination. And yet, all it is, is sand. Earth. A reminder of where we all end up regardless of race or creed. The earth does not discriminate! The earth does not care who you are, where you come from or the color of your skin. Whether you are Jewish, or Muslim or Christian. We all end up together. There is no escape. So I cover my head, but it is with equality. I shove fairness into my ears. I shove justice into my mouth….
Photograph by Doron Polak