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For those who don’t know Galleria Levantina and David Ariel, let me tell you the story of an Art Gallery that brought a lot of joy to many people and of unique art created in Venice, a gallery that is now at risk of closing down forever due to the coronavirus economic crisis.
David Ariel was always in love with the Venetian views. About a decade ago he decided to move from Milan to Venice in order to create his unique art, depicting beautiful Venetian sceneries and people. The first two years were not an easy ride: David Ariel worked hard to develop his distinguished, personal painting techniques while getting the necessary approvals for opening a small art gallery in the Ghetto Vecchio (the Old Ghetto), the Galeria Levantina.
As a traditional Jew, David Ariel keeps Shabbat, and so it was quite challenging to make the gallery a successful business, while other Venetian galleries open 7 days a week. Nevertheless, David Ariel’s colorful, emotional artistic style he calls “Action Pop” (i.e. dripping colors directly onto the canvas thus creating both textures and a “natural” color movement) grew more and more popular, and so, a few months ago Galleria Levantina has finally opened its second gallery, right next to the famous Rialto Bridge!
That was truly a dream come true. But just when everything seemed to be falling into place, things turned for the worst: First, the recent "Acqua Granda" (high water floods) completely flooded the gallery, destroyed many paintings, and emptied the city from tourists.
David Ariel was always in love with the Venetian views. About a decade ago he decided to move from Milan to Venice in order to create his unique art, depicting beautiful Venetian sceneries and people. The first two years were not an easy ride: David Ariel worked hard to develop his distinguished, personal painting techniques while getting the necessary approvals for opening a small art gallery in the Ghetto Vecchio (the Old Ghetto), the Galeria Levantina.
As a traditional Jew, David Ariel keeps Shabbat, and so it was quite challenging to make the gallery a successful business, while other Venetian galleries open 7 days a week. Nevertheless, David Ariel’s colorful, emotional artistic style he calls “Action Pop” (i.e. dripping colors directly onto the canvas thus creating both textures and a “natural” color movement) grew more and more popular, and so, a few months ago Galleria Levantina has finally opened its second gallery, right next to the famous Rialto Bridge!
That was truly a dream come true. But just when everything seemed to be falling into place, things turned for the worst: First, the recent "Acqua Granda" (high water floods) completely flooded the gallery, destroyed many paintings, and emptied the city from tourists.
Then, the Coronavirus struck Venice hard, and so David Ariel and his family are isolated at home and the two galleries are closed. If this is not enough of a hustle, David Ariel’s long-scheduled knee replacement surgery has been postponed due to the collapse of the Venetian hospitals, so he can barely move at the moment.
Nevertheless, he finds hope in continuing to paint at home as art is his true hope for life.
In addition to art, David shares the love and happiness for life with his clients. Some were moved to tears by his art, some left with a gift painting for free, when a special connection sparked between David his clients.
For some others that couldn’t afford the painting or the print, David said "Pay me when you can! Art is joy! Art should be affordable to anyone!".
Please Help David Ariel and his family keep GALLERIA LEVANTINA'S doors open. Don't let the love for art fade away.
We are not talking about just some Art Gallery, we are talking about a part of Venice that survived until now but at real risk to disappear.
I leave you with David Ariel words:
"Let the joy of life shine, happiness, color, life. Together we can make it."
Galleria Levantina and Levantina Factory are the only Jewish Art Gallery in Venice.
Here last Hanukka https://www.facebook.com/gallerialevantina/videos/2481033201994602/?t=2
Let's keep the light on
www.levantinafactory.com
Nevertheless, he finds hope in continuing to paint at home as art is his true hope for life.
In addition to art, David shares the love and happiness for life with his clients. Some were moved to tears by his art, some left with a gift painting for free, when a special connection sparked between David his clients.
For some others that couldn’t afford the painting or the print, David said "Pay me when you can! Art is joy! Art should be affordable to anyone!".
Please Help David Ariel and his family keep GALLERIA LEVANTINA'S doors open. Don't let the love for art fade away.
We are not talking about just some Art Gallery, we are talking about a part of Venice that survived until now but at real risk to disappear.
I leave you with David Ariel words:
"Let the joy of life shine, happiness, color, life. Together we can make it."
Galleria Levantina and Levantina Factory are the only Jewish Art Gallery in Venice.
Here last Hanukka https://www.facebook.com/gallerialevantina/videos/2481033201994602/?t=2
Let's keep the light on
www.levantinafactory.com
