I T Z H A K B E N – A R I E H Fantastic Photography
born in 1926 in Geneva of parents from Turkish origin. Completed studies there in Mechanical Engineering. Since coming to Israel in 1948, went through a number of stages: was a member of a kibbutz, a metal worker, a practical engineer, and also a teacher of technological subjects in professional high schools. Only later, at the age of 45, discovered the magic of photography : changed profession and joined the photographic laboratory of the Faculty of Architecture (Technion – Haifa) where he worked for 28 years .
Ben-Arieh works mainly with the method of photomontage. His photographs are composed of a number of negatives, which were taken at various locations and times, and were assembled by him into final prints in the darkroom.
In the artist's pictures frequently appear motives which seem to connect with imaginary scenery. The result is the creation of a differently reality which emerges from the unconscious and is related to the world of myths and archetypes.
