55 Degrees of Steel in Tel Aviv's Cultural Acropolis
- Nir Topper
- Mar 11
- 3 min read
The sculpture "Uprise" (Hitromamut) by the renowned Israeli artist Menashe Kadishman (1932-2015) is far more than a mere design element in the urban landscape. Situated at the southern corner of Tel Aviv’s Habima Square, facing Rothschild Boulevard, it stands as one of the most iconic symbols of Israeli modernism and local culture. Installed in 1974, the work represents a fascinating intersection of existential philosophy and the minimalist art Kadishman absorbed from his international colleagues during his years in London. For passersby, these three discs are an inseparable part of the "White City" skyline, defying gravity and maintaining a constant dialogue with the surrounding architecture.
The Evolution of the Artist
The professional journey of Menashe Kadishman explains the material complexity of the work. Kadishman, who began his path as a shepherd in Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch, underwent a significant artistic transformation during his 13-year residency in London, where he was deeply influenced by the minimalist-conceptual movement. Under this influence, he abandoned traditional materials like stone in favor of industrial elements such as steel, aluminum, and glass. "Uprise" is the monumental distillation of his research into the concept of "Tension"—structures that appear on the verge of collapse yet remain perfectly stable through precise engineering balance.
Technical Mastery and Material Choice
The sculpture’s technical specifications attest to its dominant presence: it rises to a height of 15 meters, with each disc measuring 5 meters in diameter and 60 centimeters in thickness. The choice of Corten steel, which develops a natural layer of protective rust, was intentional. Kadishman wanted the sculpture to evolve over time, allowing oxidation and weathering to become part of the artwork itself. Unlike an earlier, smaller yellow version installed in Toronto, the Tel Aviv iteration seeks to connect with natural processes of time, anchoring it firmly to its Mediterranean environment.
A Message of Resilience
Behind the geometric structure lies a profound message of optimism and resilience. Over the decades, "Uprise" has been interpreted in various ways. The artist Avraham Ofek viewed the three discs as representations of existential energies: the base connected to the earth, physical strength, and the human spirit rising upward. Kadishman himself, however, primarily viewed the work as a modernist statement. The precise 55° angle creates an illusion of momentum and a striving to rise above physical limitations, making the piece—in the eyes of many—a metaphor for Israeli society as a whole.
From Philanthropy to Protest
The installation was made possible through the philanthropy of businessman Meshulam Riklis, who donated dozens of sculptures to Tel Aviv’s public spaces. The chosen location—the Habima complex—was perceived as the city's cultural "Acropolis," designed to create a visual powerhouse in the heart of the center that unites the National Theater and the Charles Bronfman Auditorium (Heichal HaTarbut). In 2007, the sculpture was temporarily removed for the renovation of the square and the construction of an underground parking lot, returning in 2010 to the redesigned plaza created by artist Dani Karavan. Since then, it has become a popular communal landmark, affectionately known by the public as "The Habima Circles."
Throughout the years, the sculpture has become a living entity responding to social shifts. it has served as a backdrop for political demonstrations—such as the "Handmaid’s Protest" in 2023, where it was draped in red fabric—and has been used for social awareness, such as the 2015 breast cancer campaign. These events highlight the tension between the artist's creative vision and the way the public adopts public art as a vessel for its own expression.
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"Uprise" remains a national treasure, symbolizing the capacity to change and grow within a reality of instability. It reminds every passerby that even the heaviest material can reach for the sky if positioned at the right "angle of the spirit." Kadishman’s legacy at Habima Square continues to inspire, standing stable and defiant, seeking the "miracle" within the everyday urban experience.
Image 1: The "Uprise" sculpture, Habima Square, Tel Aviv. Photo: Nir Topper.
Image 2: The "Uprise" sculpture during an animal rights demonstration. Photo: Nir Topper.
Image 3: "Three Discs" (1967), Toronto, Canada. Source: Menashe Kadishman, Israeli, born 1932, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Image 4: "The Sacrifice of Isaac" (1982-1985), Corten steel – Tel Aviv Museum of Art Plaza. Source: CC-BY-SA-4.0.
Image 5: Menashe Kadishman. Source: Ynet - https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4655313,00.html
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