He is Dan Reisinger, the recipient of the 1998 Israel Prize and the first designer to receive this prestigious prize. The Israel Prize is the State’s highest recognition for excellence in the fields of science, literature, theater, art and architecture.

Most of you probably know Reisinger’s work, even though you may not be aware of it. He has designed logos and branding systems for a Whose Who of Israeli companies and organizations, including; El Al, Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, Bat Sheva Dance Company, Ministry of Tourism, Habima – The National Theater and The Open Museum, to name a few.

We recently met at his studio in Givatayim to discuss his 1999 environmental sculpture at the Weizmann Institute of Science and his work in general. Reisinger described Jubilee Plaza, as a sculpture that provides a “challenging, changing perspective, a visual environmental experience.”

This was a unique project – whose goals were not purely artistic. Prof. Haim Harari, the former president of the Weizmann Institute of Science, and architect Rafi Lehrman conceived it as a means of honoring the Institute’s most prominent donors. Dan Zur was the project’s landscape architect. According to Reisinger, Harari was interested in something more appealing than just putting a donor’s name up on a building. An environmental sculpture park, which was initially composed of 20 ‘cubes’ to which an additional six were later added – was planned. The idea was to create something that would provide different points of perspective – when viewed from different vantage points. Reisinger was brought in to provide the individual sculpted characterization, to each of the sculpture park’s cubes.

Those who are familiar with Reisinger’s work will no doubt note the absence of color in this work, which characterizes much of his work.  Describing the process that he went through in designing this piece of work, Reisinger said, “an idea crystallized that all in all it should look an archaeological excavation, since an excavation is ancient, there’s no pretension to complete with the future.” And so, the piece is aptly sand colored.

However it is interesting to note, how modern looking this work of 5,000 square meters is. Some will no doubt see a sculpture, others a garden of sorts (the pathways are lined with grass) while others may see elements of a maze. Small cubes dot the ground and serve as chairs or benches – providing a quiet place for contemplation. The sculpture is made of poured concrete and covered with a layer of coarse sand.

Reisinger, studied at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem from 1950-1954. In 1950, when he was accepted, he was the school’s youngest student. His teachers included Mordechai Ardon, Shlomo Vitkin, Ya’akov Steinhardt and Rudi Dayan. In 1954 he enlisted in the Israeli Air Force and served as an art director for its books and publications. From 1957-1966 he spent time studying and working in Europe. He initially lived in Brussels – where he won first prize for his design of the Expo ’58 Science Pavilion. He also had his first exhibition in Brussels. He then moved to London where at the Central School of Art he studied stage and three-dimensional design. In 1966 he moved back to Israel and opened his own studio.

Some of his most memorable works are perhaps those commissioned by Israeli industrialist, Stef Wertheimer, founder of ISCAR and the man behind The Open Museum concept. He commissioned Reisinger to design a series of innovative calendars. This ultimately led to the development of a perpetual calendar for the Museum of Modern Art, in New York. The calendar’s unique feature is 40,080 possible design combinations.

Those who wish to see more of Reisinger’s works can see his series of paintings “The Scrolls of Fire” – which are on permanent display at Beth Hatefusoth (the Diaspora Museum), in Tel Aviv. At Yad Vashem The Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes Remembrance Authority, visitors will be able see a special frieze that he designed.

Reisinger has also designed more than 300 posters. Perhaps, some time in the near future, we’ll be able to see exhibitions of his posters and his more private works, his paintings.

Directions:  The environmental sculpture park - Jubilee Plaza, is located at The Weizmann Institute of Science, at the entrance to Rehovot. As you come from the Tel Aviv - Rishon LeZion direction it will be on your left and is clearly signed. Upon your arrival, stop by the Barbara and Morris Levinson Visitors Center and ask for map and specific directions to the sculpture.

As you walk around the grounds you will also be able to see many other beautiful art works, including sculptures by Dani Karavan and   Nathan Rapoport, name a few.
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Visiting Hours: Sunday - Thursday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Entry fees (to the Weizmann Institute of Science – where you can take a self-guided tour): Adults, 25 NIS/pp, 15/pp NIS for students, soldiers on active duty, physically handicapped, and senior citizens. Groups should make a reservation in advance (there is an extra charge for a guide, 200 NIS).