Posted 2013-12-27 by AGF

 With each new city I visit I always make it a point to visit the major art museum it always fascinates, astounds and surprises me the works one museum will display as opposed to another and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art did not disappoint.  The design of the building itself is a work of art.  As throughout the city security is tight all bags are checked, in some cases emptied out and all bags be checked, ladies be prepared to have your purses searched.  Once I paid my admission and entered the fun and fascination began.

Like all the major museums I’ve visited there was no shortage of Monet’s, Renoir’s, Picasso’s or Rembrandt’s, absolute masterpieces.  Each one evoking a different reaction, a different emotion and sculptures that made you stop, stare, admire and appreciate.  Sketches and drawings from the most famous and not famous but each one worthy of its place in the museum.  The works of art that surrounded you were brilliant.  For those of you did visit Tel Aviv you must go to this museum.

  I finally reached the museum’s contemporary section and as always, the questions began ‘that’s art?’  With all the museums I’ve visited around the world the one thing that does fascinate me is how pieces even get into a museum.  The picture above is the entrance into the modern art section and what greets you first is that water cooler and as you walk throughout there are pieces that just make you crazy.  A collection of rocks, a painting of a man going to the bathroom, there was even a Chinese dragon the went from the first floor to the top and while each of us have of individual tastes, there are pieces in this part of the museum that I ask, ‘that’s art?’

Finally the best way to end or start your day at the museum is at the Pastel Brasserie, located in the heart of the Tel Aviv Museum’s new wing opposite the sculpture garden.  The menu is quite good with an open air bar and a bartender that once live in Boston my day at the museum was one of the best days in Tel Aviv.