Spiral Viewpoint

In Memory of Yair Engel

Location: At the supposed location of the Israelite citadel's outer wall - overlooking the cities of Jerusalem & Bethlehem .
Dimensions: length (top platform) – 10 m', the spiral's largest diameter–7 m', height (higher to lower level)– 3.5 m', total height – 7.5 m'.
Materials: concrete structure, oak tree (Quercus itahaburensis), fabricated stones, flint stones, steel rods.
Project History:
1998 planning, permits, transplanting process, excavations, foundations (May), structure (July), fabricated stones (November), archaeological excavations (December).
1999 transplanting, upper level, surrounding garden, opening (June).
Key Meanings: Creative Preservation , 'reconstruction' of the archaeological hypothesis, spiral echo of the Protoaeolic motif, midway between Jerusalem & Bethlehem , in memory of Y. Engel.
Artist Statement: By reconstructing the spatial point where the wall is supposed to have existed, and thus giving a sort of reality to the archaeological hypothesis, one can experience the strategic qualities of the site… Artificial in material, speculative & imaginary in their placement, the fabricated stones attempt to lead a thread of memory to the unmoved (and rigorously authentic) realities of this specific location.