Asufa, a blue and white haven for art and design lovers, has launched a series of illustrated maps, created by local talent and showcasing Tel Aviv and Jerusalem – so far
By Victoria Rayna
One of the country's only 'made-in- Israel' design shops, Asufa has been championing local creators and makers since 2012 – connecting designers, products, creators and customers – together with a whole lot of color, style, humor, and love for what they do.
Asufa showcases the products and designs of over 250 young, aspiring Israeli designers, as well as initiates projects and collaborations to promote local and original creativity. Indie product designers have come to recognize their warm and vibrant space in Jaffa's Flea Market as a welcome spot to showcase their work without the logistical and financial headaches involved in operating a private store. In essence, it is a local collective of Israeli designers.
© Yali Ziv - Hatikva Neighbourhood
Visitors will happily stumble upon unusual souvenirs. Design enthusiasts can get to know local craftsmanship and new designers. 'Neighbourhoods' is one of Asufa's current projects; it started as Making the Neighbourhood, an exhibition for Illustration Week 2017, with the vision of creating a new and fresh Tel Avivian product. Asufa corralled a team of 10 young and talented illustrators, each chose a neighborhood, shaping it into his/hers unique style.
© Ido Back - Montefiore Neighbourhood
The Neighbourhood series visually shows the stark variations between all of the different areas of the city, and the distinct character of each and every one of them. Discover Florentine, Noga, Old Jaffa, Hatikva, The Old North, Montefiore, Rothschild, Lev HaIr, and Neve Tzedek from a whole new perspective. (They'll be adding Levinsky and Yad Eliyahu soon!) And most recently, they added Jerusalem to the Neighbourhoods project with Nachlaot, Rechavia, the Old City, City Center, Talibiye, and Ein Karem in the eclectic mix.
© Andre Missing - Noga Neighbourhood
Asufa, 2 Rabbi Nachman St, Jaffa Flea Market (note the previous shop was on Margoza Street). All maps are sized 60/40 cm and NIS 99