Bustan al-Hub | Yuval Atzili | Michael Liani

The term “bustan” derives from the Persian word for ‘a place of smells,’ and commonly refers to an agricultural garden or orchard located near a water source. For this reason the term has gained popularity throughout the Middle East, where rainfall is scarce. The context of this exhibit –the Tel Aviv Pride Week– is a popular event where numerous tourists come to the Orient to embrace and celebrate diversity (gender/religion/culture etc.) enabling them to encounter the Exotic Other. This bustan offers a glimpse into part of Israeli visual culture and emphasizes its complex relation to fantasy, temptation and pleasure.

Full exhibition text: ⤋ English