David Datuna’s “Viewpoint of Millions: Israel Beyond a Dream” contends with Israel’s past, present and future through optically distorted depictions of the Jewish State’s flag. GlobalArt Group, a philanthropic initiative, today unveiled the triptych at Art Palm Beach 2012, donating a portion of the proceeds to the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

“With the Israeli flag project, I focused on the balance between the realities of yesterday and today, but left tomorrow open-ended” Datuna said.

“The black and white flag symbolizes the past, including the Holocaust and Israel’s War of Independence, and features excerpts from such iconic works as Exodus by Leon Uris and Elie Weisel’s Night. The present day flag replicates the authentic colors and features photographic images of the Israeli life today. The white flag represents the open-ended future of the nation. The background images were deliberately left out, making it a canvas for each individual to project their own view of Israel tomorrow. The flag, as well as the name of the new series, is inspired by Theodor Herzl’s line ‘If you will it, it is no dream.’”

Misha Galperin, the JA President of International Development, was excited to partner with the distinctive artist. “Datuna’s art is a depiction of Israel’s complexity and its centrality to the past, present and future of the Jewish people,” she explained to Global Art Group. “In many ways, it expresses through art what the Agency has represented in deed.”

This piece is the latest in Datuna’s ongoing project portraying global leaders, pop-culture, fashion and the cultural legacy of countries around the world. His trademark cascading lens effect emphasizes the individual perspective.

.ORG-Connection: The Jewish Agency for Israel inspires Jews throughout the world to connect with their people, heritage and land. To stay up-to-date with the organization's projects, check out its page on Jspace here.