Midburn 2016, ISRAEL
Design, Planning, and Construction of an Art Installation Inspired by the Biblical Noah’s Ark.
Partners: Daniel Nachmias, Eitan Perry, Ori Hacohen

The installation measured 30 meters long and two stories high, constructed from 35 cubic meters of wood, and incorporated elements of light, sound, and spirit. The concept for the project came to me in a dream I had in 2015.

The challenge in designing the experience was to create a personal narrative through the collective story of the flood. The chosen approach to guide participants on this personal journey was to metaphorically connect individuals to the experience of life itself; each person was seen as a pair unto themselves, with the flood depicted as an internal tempest.

The ark was built using a system of frames with varying cross-sections, tailored to represent the framework’s role in a ship. The belly of the ark was designed as a vast space where the storm took place—a dark area filled with a meditative sound installation composed specifically for the project by Gavriel Mandel. The upper deck was designed to welcome participants after they had experienced the storm and emerged into the light.

The ark was designed over six months, with the framework constructed in central Israel. Several tests were conducted to master wood-bending techniques in order to create the ark’s curved cladding in multiple planes. The team behind the ark comprised engineers, designers, carpenters, and social workers. The construction process combined techniques from architecture, design, and carpentry, achieved through exceptional teamwork, which became the heart of the project.
The project’s name, No One’s Ark, reflects the journey that began as a personal dream and evolved into a shared vision. No One's Ark, Everyone’s Journey . The installation touched thousands of participants and received extensive coverage in Israel and worldwide, becoming a milestone in large-scale art installations in Israel.