At the end of last summer, Tel-Aviv-based screenprinter Hagai Farago formed a friendship with David Sagie, affectionately known as “The Raspberry Man from Petel Eretz farm”. David invited Hagai to join him on the farm for an artist residency where he could explore the secrets of the land. Following the residency, together they hosted a print exhibition at the farm, showcasing the creations developed during Hagai’s stay.
Hagai tells us more about his experience exploring the farmland; “Beyond the last farm-houses, on the top of the hill, you can find raspberry greenhouses. Rows and rows of twisting branches bearing sweet fruit. What is required for a man to grow sweet raspberries? He needs water in the right amount. He needs strong wires stretched tightly, he needs buckets and crates, he needs sunlight. He needs a greenhouse to protect the fruit from excess sun and pests. It’s surreal to think about how raspberries are grown while a raging war overshadows our home with loss and tragedy.”
Wanting to record the landscape inside, Hagai built a camera obscura out of cardboard. “I had wanted to do something like this for a long time and now the perfect opportunity had arrived,” comments the printmaker. When creating silkscreen prints, the image is burned onto the screen with light. For this, you need a film. Thus, Hagai left room for changing film in his camera obscura box, and headed out and recorded the landscapes that unfolded in front of him.
This collaboration between farm and artist reflects a corrolation in artisanal printmaking and agricultural labour; both are deeply rooted in the shared values of craftsmanship and patience. Both practices rely on meticulous, hands-on processes that transform raw materials into something meaningful – whether it be food or art.
The exhibition of silkscreen prints at a raspberry farm, which took place in early January, highlights this connection, celebrating the labour-intensive nature of both fields. Hosting the exhibition in an agricultural setting reinforces the importance of land, labour, and creativity in shaping culture. The farm’s initiative in organising the event also underscores the parallels between artistic and agricultural sustainability, as both depend on thoughtful, ethical production. By merging these two worlds, the exhibition not only honours traditional craftsmanship, but also fosters a dialogue on labour, nature, and the artistry found in everyday work.
@hagai_farago
www.hagaifarago.com
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