Living Within Art: A Journey of Inspiration and Belonging

Artistic variety, when woven into a long-term residential environment, sparks curiosity and inspiration. Residents are naturally drawn into moments of reflection, eager to ask questions, share perspectives, and explore further. In this way, social interaction arises organically, while rotating exhibitions breathe new life into the spaces, creating an ever-renewing atmosphere of discovery. The experience uplifts the spirit, breaks daily routines, deepens the sense of belonging, and turns every transition between spaces into a journey of surprise and inspiration.

These very advantages appear to have guided the curation of artworks -ranging from paintings and sculptures to photography and digital installations - within the prestigious SEA ONE residential project on the shores of Rishon LeZion.

When the walls are soon wrapped in their final cladding, art will also make its entrance - unfolding across the surfaces, infusing the shared spaces with elegance, spirit, and beauty.

Sharon Toval, a curator and contemporary art researcher active in the field of plastic arts in Israel and abroad, and curator of exhibitions in leading galleries and museums, brings to the project a vision and an artistic direction that fosters a balanced, profound, and essential dialogue between body and soul - an invitation to pause, reflect, and contemplate.

"Art captures the eye, stirs questions and thought, and seeks to unravel what has moved you," he explains. "The time you spend before it is like a small bubble of surrender - and, in my view, it is in that moment that a sense of personal well-being emerges, a true harmony between body and soul. When you live in a place where such moments are woven into the very atmosphere, the walls, and the corridors, something within you changes in a profound way.

"When art evolves and renews itself, it is no longer fixed, like a picture that hangs on the same wall of a house for years, but instead flows with time - and with life itself."

Art Stations: A Journey Through Rotating Exhibitions
Toval also serves as the director and curator of "The Art Laboratory" at 119 Herzl Street in Tel Aviv - a rare experimental art space in Israel that functions as an incubator for new artistic projects. For the past seven years, the Laboratory has invited ten selected artists annually to develop their work in close dialogue with Toval, dedicating a month each year to creative research and presentation. The projects then continue their journey, showcased in museums and galleries across Israel and abroad.

The artists are chosen by a jury of two curators and two fellow artists. Over the years, this avant-garde space has brought together more than sixty creators who have exhibited within its walls, drawing a devoted and returning audience. Recognized as both unique and dynamic in Israel's cultural landscape, it offers artists wide creative freedom to present bold, boundary-pushing, and thought-provoking works.

Over the years, the space has earned international recognition, standing alongside similar venues in leading cities such as London and Berlin. The exhibitions staged here have become signature events on the contemporary art scene.

The connection with Shira Oren-Nahmias, Deputy CEO of the Oranim Group and the driving force behind the resort, began back in 2011, when Toval was invited to create a new artistic model for the Royal Beach Hotel, a project initiated and planned by the group. 13 years later, their collaboration has blossomed into a close friendship. At the hotel, Oranim together with Toval established a digital art incubator - the first of its kind.

As part of the initiative, emerging artists in photography and digital media were given the opportunity to showcase their work throughout the hotel's floors, with pieces also available for purchase. "Some of the works are still on view in the hotel today -en- tirely fresh and relevant, as if they had been hung only yesterday," notes Toval, who continues to serve as art curator for the hotel operator.

As the resort's opening approached, Toval and Oren-Nahmias devised an artistic model centered on "Art Stations", featuring rotating exhibitions, an artist residency program, video art screenings, a one-of-a-kind ceramics store, and professional workshops open to residents.

"I dream my paintings, then paint my dreams," Vincent van Gogh once said - and it seems the two have been bringing their shared dream to life.

Where Art Heals: A Dynamic Mosaic
The opening group exhibition, "RE-SORT", invites visitors into a world of healing, purification, and the removal of negativity. Spanning two corridors that extend in opposite directions and converge at the central atrium, the exhibition will remain on view for a full year. It features works that explore mending and binding - reflecting the spirit of our times - such as ceramics repaired using traditional Japanese techniques or shattered plates stitched back together with delicate threads.

Other pieces explore the role of air as a conduit between spaces, employing inflatable forms - some filled with air, others left empty. A video installation presents a dynamic mosaic of small screens, each displaying different clips of the Notre Dame Cathedral fire. Together, the screens simulate the reconstruction of what was lost, creating a layered, emotionally charged narrative of rebuilding through contemporary media.

Another wall installation employs an unexpected material—cleaning brushes from Kibbutz Ruhama. Through these humble tools, the act of cleaning is transformed into a meditation on healing, offering a means to restore harmony to both body and soul.

On the floor above, in the dedicated work area and creative studio that will regularly host artists, ceramic and glass pieces are displayed - and available for purchase - on a large, striking decorative library, blending functionality with artistic presentation.

As part of the Art Residency program, artists will be invited to stay on-site, creating in a fresh environment, drawing inspiration from the local surroundings, and even leading hands-on workshops for residents.

What will the Art-Residency model include?
"The model is built around carefully planned meetings coordinated with each artist before their stay. Every month, residents receive a program that announces the featured artist, presents their work, and details in a weekly schedule of lectures, workshops, and open sessions. Upon arrival, the artist follows this program, while also engaging in open, spontaneous dialogue beyond the planned activities. Artists create in a designated outdoor space, and interactions with residents unfold naturally - people stop, ask questions, express curiosity, and the resulting authentic conversations often take unexpected turns, becoming an essential part of the magic. By combining meticulous planning with unstructured, serendipitous moments, the residency becomes a living, evolving, and multi-layered experience."

Weaving Possibilities: Partnering with Israel's Leading Design School
Various spaces within the resort's public areas will host unique cultural events, including a national video art exhibition showcasing digitally created works, as well as memorable encounters with artists and collaborations with leading cultural organizations. A highlight will be the partnership with the Textile Design Department at Shenkar College, led by Miki Keidar, a specialist in sustainable textiles. Graduates of the department, ranked among the finest in Israel, will present selections from their final projects at the resort, echoing the practice of prominent urban galleries and art centers that host these showcases annually. Through this partnership, the resort not only gives visibility to emerging talent but also underscores its commitment to supporting the arts, including plans to award scholarships to outstanding young artists.

"The graduate shows of the department are already approaching international art standards, even though they are presented only at the conclusion of the students' studies," notes Toval. "It is exciting to imagine the artistic paths these graduates will take in the future. The exhibition at the resort may spark meaningful connections with art-loving, discerning residents who could acquire works or commission new creations. In addition, a collaboration with the Rishon LeZion municipality is under consideration, which would allow this art to reach an even broader public."

Complementing the Sea: Art in Harmony
Toval envisions a dynamic future for the resort's art spaces, curating a changing roster of exhibitions that span sculpture, installations, and multimedia experiences. Imagine a dining hall enveloped entirely in sewn textiles or a vacant apartment transformed by an immersive team of digital artists. Temporary works will surprise guests throughout public spaces - some, crafted uniquely for specific locations, may even become permanent fixtures in the collection. "The sea," Toval adds, "serves as a constant backdrop of tranquility and well-being - a form of therapy unto itself. That's why our art will complement, not compete with, its natural beauty." Digital and interactive installations like these - already raising the bar in leading hotels worldwide - promise to spark inspiration and foster a deep sense of place for every resident.

How would you recommend the resort's residents incorporate art into their private apartments?
"The most important thing to remember is that the value of art is not measured by price, but by the awareness and emotional connection it evokes. Residents should listen to their inner passions and select pieces that truly resonate with them. They shouldn't be afraid to embrace an eclectic mix - for instance, pairing a treasured piece of furniture with an artwork that might be more modestly priced, alongside some captivating paintings. This approach creates unique, storytelling corners that reflect personality. It's equally important to curate harmonious arrangements, and anyone needing guidance should feel encouraged to seek expert assistance."

In collaboration with Oranim Group