Eyal Rob, Israeli MTV developer, DJ and media critic, showed a different side of Israel through the use of music on Tuesday at Allen Hall.
“I’m getting tired of the immediate connotation of the name Israel when mentioned (being) the conflict,” Rob said. “They talk about all this as if it is the only thing that happens in Israel.”
Rob, a native of Tel Aviv, discussed the city’s music scene in a presentation titled “Made in Tel Aviv.” The event was co-sponsored by Israel Illini, Music for the Masses, Pizza FM, Illinois Student Association of Music Scholars and the University’s program in Jewish culture and society.
Rob said he wants to shed light on the cultural aspect of the country that is less publicized than others, usually related to the country’s political situation.
“My main focus is music and showing its unique relationship by explaining and showing the music of Israel as a state and Tel Aviv as a city,” Rob said.
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The presentation included a lecture and video clips. Rob showed a total of 10 music videos that either took place in Tel Aviv or were performed by artists from Tel Aviv.
The videos featured music genres such as Israeli hip-hop and rap, each showing a different area of Israeli life. The lyrics of the songs, while mostly in Hebrew, sometimes contained English, Italian and Russian.
Elaad Applebaum, sophomore in LAS, co-organized the event with Elana Weiner-Kaplow, sophomore in FAA. As Hillel’s Israel Interns, the two create Israel-related programs on campus to form a well-rounded representation of the country. These events vary from being political to environmental.
“It brings a different view of the Middle East,” Weiner-Kaplow said. “The media focuses so often on conflict and politics, but this shows the side of the Middle East that’s human. People are making art, and people are going into clubs…”
Applebaum said he liked the unique take on the country that Rob presented.
“It was a different side to Israel that I don’t usually hear, like most people,” Applebaum said. “It was a very straightforward, honest representation of the music and society of Israel.”
Garrison Brown, freshman in Engineering, attended as a member of Music for the Masses, a group that brings musicians together to form bands and spreads music appreciation.
“I got a little more insight on the Israeli culture,” he said. “Overall, I really liked it.”
Jacqui can be reached at [email protected].
