INTERVIEW BY H. CANDEE

Muscovy Mandala

PHOTOGRAPHER SHELI RONNEN

Interview by Harryet Candee

Harryet Candee: Sheli, can you describe what it was like to work in a dark room that was originally made to be a local bomb shelter in your village, in Jerusalem, Israel? Tell us about this experience. Sheli Ronnen: It was actually quite comforting and exhilarating… I knew I didn’t have to go anywhere in case of an air raid siren. I knew I was in the safest place possible. Shai was a wonderful teacher and as long as there were no sirens it really just felt like a darkroom. I was learning “magic“ in a very safe place. We were in a small storage section as the rest of the shelter was used for different activities in peaceful times. Occasionally movies would be shown there. A lot of James Bond movies. I could see how this might sound strange, but to me, and I imagine, to most Israelis bomb shelters feel like a safe place. Most homes have individual ones or the very least what’s called a safe room against biological attacks. I’d rather have one then not.

You mentioned working for the Jerusalem Post, what was that like? I absolutely loved working for the Jerusalem Post. There wasn’t an aspect of it that I didn’t enjoy or learn from, not to mention all the wonderfully talented people I got to work with. I worked in any department that would have me, starting at the bottom, pasting articles into binders and eventually winding up as the assistant features editor. Each department had its own charm and was instrumental in developing different skill sets. I was even the soccer “medic/coach’ for the paper’s team. I loved every minute of it, and occasionally I was allowed to stand in for a player. Tell us about the village you grew up in, what was it like? What was it like for you? Do you know if it has changed much? I grew up in a village in Judaean Hill’s just outside of Jerusalem. It was a small village where we all knew each other for the most part. No stores, no traffic lights. Vegetable trucks came through as well as dairy, for anything else you had to go into Jerusalem. It was beautifully set into the hillside with many different fruit orchards and open fields. At first glance, one may mistake it for the Italian countryside, as the terraces built into the hill are very reminiscent of Italian landscapes. One of the central streets in the village was lined with carob trees on both sides. Let’s just say we never went hungry— there was always a tree to climb up at your heart’s desire. There was never a reason to stop playing and go home for lunch.

Above and Below

Alternatively, there were many prickly pear bushes, and the sweet taste was worth the battle to get them. Growing up, the men of the village would patrol it. It always scared me as a child when I would see my father in uniform. Sadly, it is changed… No more open fields. Buildings everywhere. My old home is unrecognizable. Still, it is a paradise in many ways though not the paradise I grew up in.

I am curious to know about your family. What was the family’s general philosophies on living and being a part of Israeli society? Are you religious? I came from a family of artists and art lovers in many mediums. My father was an artist in his own right in addition to having several positions at the Jerusalem Post as an art critic, political cartoonist and eventually, editor in chief. He was Israel’s leading cartoonist for the country’s largest Hebrew daily as well as the Jerusalem Post. My mother is very artistic. She is a dealer of contemporary art. One of my sisters is an exceptionally talented photographer; another was a world class weaver. My younger sister is a brilliant book publisher, and my brother is a very artistic and talented vegan chef. Israel is a country where politics is a daily event. We were raised to develop our own feelings and opinions about events and/or situations happening around us. I think at this point in my life, I would say I’m more spiritual than religious.

What fascinated you and drew you into photography? The universe as well as my mother planted deep within me an un-ending love for animals. As a child, I fantasized about being a National Geographic photographer. That was the beginning, the idea. The Jerusalem Post exposed me to many photojournalists which intrigued me as well, and then I saw my sister’s work— I felt it, and understood it instantly. It was clearer than ever that this was what I needed to do. I love the creative process. I love the way the imagination works when I am putting a piece together. The only thing that comes close to it is photographing wildlife and the intimate interaction and privilege the photographer has. I love the ability to freeze a moment in time; to tell a story through it and to just bring joy through color and shape. Continued on next page...

Around the Pond

Now I wonder, Sheli, how did you end up living in Pittsfield, Mass? Is there a story you can share about your journey from one country to another? What was your first year living here like? To make a long story short, I ran out of gas just before the Lee exit on my way to Boston. The rest is history. Certainly, it’s been a learning experience living here. The initial year was a type of adjustment, but overall, I think I’ve adapted well. Most people would say I don’t have an accent, but culturally it’s very different. It’s something I remind myself of frequently. I still think in Hebrew, and occasionally, I dream in Hebrew and other languages.

Do you travel back to Israel often? Does your camera come along with you? I don’t go back as often as I’d like to. One camera at the very least goes with me everywhere!

Tell us about the photography work you do in the Berkshires? I largely work on or around bodies of water. The majority of my work is captured from the kayak. There are so many different angles and colors that one is able to achieve using reflections and the water in diverse ways. The kayak offers a unique proximity as well as angles that otherwise would be unobtainable.

How do you work with the photographs that you artistically manipulate to your liking? I photograph for color rather than form when I know I’m going to digitally alter an image.

What is involved in the procedure and technique? Generally speaking, when I capture the shot I have already visualized what I want to do with it, and from there it’s just a matter of running it through the right program or several, if necessary.

How do you see yourself evolving as a photographer? I think anyone who is evolving as a human being can’t help but evolve in their art. Art and meditation go hand-in-hand for me.

How would you explain the ways you are growing and changing? I was a bit too much of a perfectionist when I initially started. Now I just allow the creativity to flow. I have learned not to be too black-andwhite and to see all the shades of gray which only enrich every experience.

Grandmother’s Case

general and with your photography work? Looking forward to whatever the world intends to bring my way in these uncertain times. Just grateful to be out there and doing. I’ve developed an interest in night photography that I am very much looking forward to furthering my skill. Universe willing, I’m also working on a book.

Good luck with the book! You will have to tell us more down the line when you get closer to it’s fruition! Do you enjoy shooting in black and white, or are you very involved in color? About a year ago I started doing black-andwhite again. I had forgotten how much I loved it. It was my initial love, especially in the dark room! art to be most challenging for you? The most challenging things in life, I believe, are change and growth. Through these we experience a myriad of challenges. Ultimately, necessary in both life and art.

How did you spend your time during 2020 during Covid? Did you find it to be much different for you than before Covid hit? Aside from not being able to show, I continued to photograph and create. The only real difficulty I encountered, was finding people outdoors, and too close to all my wildlife spots— but who can blame them with all this beauty around?

What other interests do you have? I’m a huge music fan and play the flute and the recorder. I will listen to anything from April to rap. I am an extreme animal lover, same with kids. Very much enjoy cooking and gardening but I don’t get to do much of either.

Did you know how to speak English before you came here, or was English a learning curve for you after you settled into the US? My mother was very diligent and forward thinking in teaching us both languages from the word go. I am completely bilingual, though I think in Hebrew. English is one of the more difficult languages one can learn, I think. It has never made much sense to me, and consequently, I still cannot spell to save my life— it’s a work in progress.

Sheli, what have you still explore in the great outdoors? I would love to explore more of the Green River in South county. Continued on next page...

Graceful Landing

Stockbridge Bowl Parallel Universe

Zinia Field #2

Who in the art world has influenced and inspired you? What is it about their work, or themselves that you connect with? On the photography front, I don’t have to look far: Michal Ronnen Safdie, Alberto Melis, and of course, I am a huge fan of Paul Strand. Artistically, I was always very inspired and immersed in the abstract world. I grew up with a lot of colorful abstract art and was very fond of art that had movable pieces. So, I will add to my list of those inspiring ot me: Agam, Diaz, Glatfelter, Vasarely, Dali and Picasso.

Is it possible for you to define yourself as an artist? I’m not sure I want to define myself as an artist yet, as I don’t want to limit my growth, if that makes any sense.

How would you describe your personality? My personality... I have been told—is kind, genuine, helpful, funny, caring and strong.

What significance does the Mandala have for you? For me, it represents the impermanence of things, as well as the continuous movement and circle of life. Each number of replications has a significance. The same applies to color; I don’t always know the feel or mood I’m going to generate when I capture the image it may change as I work with it. Color and shape always speak volumes to me.

Where can we follow you and your photography work? Currently there is a public page on Facebook where I can be found with a small selection available on Fine Art America. By the New year at the latest, I will have a new site up and running. Give us a few Hebrew lines of your favorite poem, please.

If I am not for myself who will be for me? If I am only for myself what am I? And if not now, when? —Rabbi Hillel

Oh Lord my God I pray that these things never end The sand and the sea, The rustling of the water, The lightning of the sky, The prayer of man.

The sand and the sea, The rustling of the water, The lightning of the sky, The prayer of man.

— Hannah Szenes

Thank you Sheli! M