January 11, 2012 / 16 Tevet 5772

Portion of the Proceeds to Benefit the Jewish Agency for Israel and Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County

New York, NY — GlobalArt Group, the philanthropic initiative behind Global Advertising Strategies, will unveil David Datuna’s latest installment in the Viewpoint of Millions art project, titled “Viewpoint of Millions: Israel Beyond a Dream” at ART PALM BEACH 2012 on January 20. The artwork, consisting of an Israeli flag triptych assembled in Datuna’s distinctive fashion of cascading optical lenses, representsthe past, present and future of Israel.  Portion of the proceeds from the sale of the artwork will benefit the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is one of the leading centers for Jewish education, leadership and community in all of South Florida. One of its overseas partners, the Jewish Agency for Israel played an instrumental role in the founding of the State of Israel, as well as the immigration of Jews from around the world. Today, it works to ensure the future of Jewish communities around the world with Israel at their heart.

“As modern history’s principal global actor on behalf of the Jewish people, the Agency has a legacy that is inseparable from that of the State of Israel itself, and is committed to shaping a vibrant future for Jews in the Diaspora and the Jewish homeland,” said Misha Galperin, the Agency’s President of International Development. “Datuna’s art is a depiction of Israel’s complexity and its centrality to the past, present and future of the Jewish people. In many ways, it expresses through art what the Agency has represented in deed.”

Viewpoint of Millions is the vision of artist David Datuna, whose work celebrates humanity’s strength by bridging intellectual and social differences in our often divided world. The ongoing project portrays global leaders in various fields, pays homage to renowned pop-culture and fashion brands, and honors cultural legacy of various countries of the world. The trademark lens effect stresses the strength of individual vision in the sea of perspectives.

Most recently, Global Art Group exhibited Datuna’s “Steve Jobs-Ayn Rand” portrait at SCOPE Miami, where it sold to a private collector for $210,000. Earlier in 2011, Datuna’s “Putin-Mona Lisa” portrait of Russia’s Prime Minister triggered a bidding war at ART MOSCOW, resulting in a sale that more than doubled the asking price of $135,000.  

“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.’”

“The notion of cross-cultural philanthropy and promoting unity through art is often positioned as a novel idea, although with the changing demographics, that is no longer a novelty but a necessity,” said Givi Topchishvili, the founder of Global Art Group. “Art is, perhaps, the only industry where one’s unique cultural perspective is welcomed, so sustaining that authenticity in creativity is our responsibility to future generations.”

The Israeli triptych precedes a new phase in the Viewpoint of Millions project – a provocative collection of national flags representing the largest ethnic groups worldwide with no country of their own is slated for late 2012.

To view “Viewpoint of Millions: Israel Beyond a Dream” at ART PALM BEACH 2012, visit the Global Art Group booths 711 and 713. To learn more about Global Art Group initiative and David Datuna please visit www.globalartgroup.org.

For media inquiries, contact Alex Moncion at 212.964.0030 or amoncion@global-ny.com.

About Global Art Group
Headquartered in New York, Global Art Group is a philanthropic initiative spearheded by the award-winning marketing firm Global Advertising Strategies to help support contemporary art and artists from all over the world. Deriving from the cultural and cross-cultural expertise of its marketing counterpart, Global Art Group possesses a unique network that extends into the coveted emerging markets overseas as well as affluent audiences domestically.

About the Jewish Agency for Israel
Established in 1929, the Jewish Agency was instrumental in the founding of the State of Israel and now works to ensure the future of a connected, committed, global Jewish People with a strong Israel at its center. The Jewish Agency addresses the most pressing issues in Jewish life by working to Inspire Jews throughout the world to Connect with their people, heritage and land, and Empower them to build a thriving Jewish future and strong Israel. The Jewish Agency pursues this goal by bringing young Jews to Israel for life-changing experiences and involving them in social activism in Israel and abroad. More information can be obtained at www.jewishagency.org

About the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County
The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County was established just 50 years ago by a small group of ommitted community members right here in South Florida who shared a vision for a vibrant Jewish future. Over the past five decades, these forward-thinking members of the Palm Beach community have led our organization to become one of the leading centers for Jewish education, leadership and community in all of South Florida.