Hanoch Piven

Don't you love discovering new things and new people? This summer one of our local libraries hosted a creative workshop by Israeli illustrator and author, Hanoch Piven. He showed the children his colorful and witty illustrations and then had them make their own.

Hanoch Piven has appeared throughout the last fourteen years on both sides of the Atlantic. His work has been featured in most major American magazines and newspapers such as Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone and in many European publications from the London Times to the Swiss Die WeltWoche.

Since our day in the summer, I have purchased most of his books. We love them! In the inside flap of his, What Presidents Are Made Of, it reads, "What do you get when you put the following together?" Then it shows a picture of a peanut, a ladder and an American flag heart. "You get a portrait of former US president Jimmy Carter, who builds houses for the homeless." In this book, Piven uses objects to characterize the presidents. His approach is so different and interesting. Some of his other books are:





Each of these books are educational as well as humorous. I love Piven's take on art and his way of relaying facts.

Does the self-portrait at the top of the page look like the real Hanoch Piven seen below with my kids?

Since attending this event, we have been looking for faces within our surroundings. Garrett, my five year old, helped me find these while walking to our hotel one day this summer.






Do you see faces within your community? What would your self-portrait be made up of if you used objects to portray yourself?

For locals:

The S.C.R.A.P. Gallery will be participating in
Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day
on Saturday, September 25.
Join us from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
at our Studio Scarto at Fiesta Mall in Indio.

A special exhibition, Making Faces: Playful Portraits of People You Know by Hanoch Piven will open as part of the Museum Day's activities.

What? You have never heard of Museum Day? No worries. I haven't heard of it until now. Here is some information:

Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian Media in which participating museums across the country open their doors for free to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket. More than 1,000 museums across the country will be participating in this special event.

Next time you have a chance at your local bookstore, library, or surfing the next (www.pivenworld.com) be sure to check out the wonderful and creative world of Hanoch Piven. You'll be amazed.