For those fortunate enough to visit Israel and appreciate the work of Niki de Saint Phalle and her “habitable” sculptures, it is imperative that you go there.
Noah’s Ark is a group of monumental sculptures created between 1990 and 1994 by Niki de Saint Phalle for the Jerusalem Bible Zoo in West Jerusalem. This work was commissioned to her by the Jerusalem Foundation. It is composed of 23 giant animals covered with mirrors and mosaics on which the children sometimes climbed.
Not often visited by the foreign tourists who flock to the old town, this zoo is a well-kept haven of peace.
Spread over several hectares, this park features all the animals described in the Bible and more.
A beautiful walk along its ponds and inside its aviaries for young and old.
In the middle, an oasis with farm animals that you can approach and a large children’s playground decorated with statues of Niki de Sainte Phalle.
The Golem with its three languages Noah’s Ark in Jerusalem
On the heights of Kiryat HaYovel (district of Jerusalem) in 1972, commissioned by the mayor of the time: Teddy Kollek, was built the Golem or “Mifletset” (monster) of Niki de Saint Phalle.
A controversial work, for which the mayor of the town fought, the commission not being in favour of the construction of a sculpture that it considered frightening for a playground.
But history tells us that the Golem was born and on its three tongues are still slipping little kids today.
The extension of the tramway line has also endangered the whole park but the whole, although surrounded by areas under construction, is perfectly maintained.
NOAH’S ARC
The 23 sculptures of Noah’s Ark are located in the Jerusalem Bible Zoo.
At 10 minutes walk from the entrance, by taking directly on your right, you pass by the pink flamingos and then you raise your head: it is a blue rhinoceros that welcomes you.
17 animals made by Niki de Saint Phalle are currently on display the others are to be renovated.
This project was realized by Niki de Saint Phalle in charge of the bestiary, in collaboration with the architect Mario Botta in charge of the arch but unfortunately no special arrangement of the sculptures! Too bad
This project was commissioned by Teddy Kollek, former mayor of Jerusalem, in 1990 and completed around 1994.
Hide bear, ram, elephant – giraffe, camel, gorilla, kangaroo, spider, turtle – well, boat-bird, firebird, green tapir, cat, monkey, penguin, lioness and lion united in the shade like the yin & yan… All mosaics and mirrors with drawings by Niki Saint Phalle.
The magic of Noah’s Ark lies in the incessant activity of little children jumping and running from sculpture to sculpture laughing and shouting!
He’s really happy to walk between these works that still have a life.
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