Israeli Outdoor Sculpture Artists Pitch Online to Raise Funds for Public Art

TEL AVIV, Israel - Aug. 31, 2015 - PRLog -- Beth Erez and Marc Lewis, sculptors for over 15 years, are planning on installing a 4 meter high totem pole at a public venue in Israel on a 2 meter high base. Erez and Lewis have turned to Indiegogo to acquire the $17,000 needed to complete, secure, paint and install their totem pole.  Totem Pole #11 is composed of three sections of wood (logs) separated by found-metal sculptures – each sculpture representing another aspect of society. The wood itself represents closeness to nature while the individual sculptures represent respectively technology and innovation, illumination, and unity – capped by the noble desert bird, a traditional totem pole symbol.

When asked about why they turned to Indiegogo for assistance rather than to traditional sources, Erez and Lewis noted, "finding individual donors to support public art is a long and tedious, if not impossible, effort.   Responding to calls for proposals would not allow us the artistic freedom to create this particular artwork. With crowdfunding, the ability to spread the word quickly online to a lot of people and to get their individual support is invaluable and Indiegogo itself was chosen for its excellent success rate.”

Prof. Harry Baron, Founding Director of the Israel Sculptors Studio, added that “funding is the major obstacle to installing a large sculpture on public grounds, even for sculptures as interesting and appealing as Erez’ and Lewis’ Totem Pole #11.  Use of innovative alternative funding methods like Indiegogo could help change the face of public art increasing the chances of bringing exciting art to the community.”

In line with Indiegogo.com guidelines, artists have a set number of days to raise all the funds.  Erez and Lewis have set a 60-day fundraising window, to raise enough money to finish, secure, paint and install this massive venture. If the needed funds aren’t raised by October 17^th, all pledges are nonetheless honored and will be used to complete the sculpture, albeit at an extremely slower rate.

Help support the effort to bring art to the public: http://www.indiegogo.com/at/totempole


About Beth Erez

Dr. Beth Erez has been sculpting for over 15 years, working in a variety of media  - clays, wax, metal and glass -- often combining bronze, other metals, glass and wood. Erez is Chairman of the Herzliya Artists Association and Municipal Art Gallery.  Her work can be seen in private collections and exhibitions in Israel and worldwide.

About Marc Lewis

Marc Lewis is a well-reknown sculptor whose work has been located in public places for over 15 years. Lewis specializes in metallic non-forged works many of which are large outdoor pieces. Lewis has exhibited extensively and his work can be found in many prominent collections both within Israel and abroad.