| - The biography |
| - The PresKit |
| - Judaica art gallery |
   |
Modern Hebrew calligraphy
Work of French calligrapher Michel D'Anastasio with his unique artistic concept surpasses the possibilities of calligraphy as an artwork beautifully written on paper, glass or canvas. Masterfully pictured Hebrew letters and texts are thoroughly arranged to the dramatically lighted environment adding to its expression almost theatrical nature; the whole composition is being photographed so the final work of art is not anymore the calligraphy by itself but the picture which intervenes the scene containing written works. Deeply meditative character of his calligraphy has though obtained new and mystic dimension: very personal and revealing.
Calligraphy of left-handed is also an art with all its rights
To become an art it needs and requests lots of hard work, research, and several years for the development and evolution to gain its mastership – in this moment, suddenly, you find yourself in the state when you can say: I am a calligrapher! The Calligraphy is still very difficult and complex for me because of my left.
During the phase of learning and developing yourselves you have to be sure of one thing: the fact that you must continue on this path and find the will to do it yourself by making up your own method. Being a pupil I met myself with teachers who could not help me as a left-handed in any point. They only judged my work and that was what brought me sureness of persevering my way of doing things. It was necessary for me to find personal solutions before arriving to satisfaction.
And it has been done: "Slope of paper, my focus, my way, waiting for the drying of the lines before I continue to write another letters..."
From a certain point of view ability of the calligraphic letter to get your entire attention and ease of control of the sign gesture opens new horizons. After the lines and ink here come new dimensions of calligraphic work: colours, materials, and techniques helping you to create your personal touch of work, clarity of natural, the sign that is released in the confrontation with the contrast of colours and forms. It is powerful! It is an achievement of research through matters and forms.
This art brings a multitude of creative possibilities, using traditional materials or even more innovative and surprising objects, such as coke-can pen (pen folder), toothpicks, fabrics, cardboard, pieces of metal, and all variety of objects found.
After years of my artistic occupation with Roman letters I discovered the beauty of Hebrew alphabet some five years ago. Hebrew calligraphy is rare in France, made only by "Sofers"(calligraphers whose occupation is based on writing religious texts). In the eyes of French society the term "calligraphy" refers mainly to Oriental calligraphy or Chinese and Japanese art of writing. In the case of Hebrew calligraphy people usually classify the Hebrew signs to the religion of Judaism. It is all wrong! Even western Latin calligraphy has yet great teachers who have tried and are still promoting the Roman alphabet art of writing. As some associations establish artistic calligraphy courses for their students to discover the multitude of sign and give some space to other and creative compositions. In general, calligraphy remains unknown and hidden in book-stores which classify and see it as a hobby and is rather ranked in "decoration" more than art. In the same way it is with art galleries where managers consider calligraphy not being an art; this is very sad.
For a calligraphers as me opens calligraphy (especially Latin and Hebrew) to new horizons, and it is not only working on paper or cloth but drives me to the new expression such as photography. I enjoy capturing my hand-writings at the still-pictures: the play of light, shadows and colour contrast, which provides a major step of modernity and creativity. Is it a new art form of calligraphy? The photographs of calligraphic works led me to the transforming calligraphic work on objects of daily use: lamps, business cards, stamps, invitations etc. There is my point and I like to see this magnificent art expression: everywhere, accessible to everyone – on daily basis.
Michel D’Anastasio - France
Is a left-handed calligrapher, painter and graphic designer. His work is bearer of harmony of the Hebrew letters, letters roman and abstract signs.
Approach to the creation of Hebrew calligraphy
2004 to presence…
Michel profited of his stay in Malta short after the country of his ancestors celebrated joining the European Union to make the genealogical research. This was how he discovered the fact of one party of his family has been being of the Jewish origin.
During his voyage to Israel, some couple of months later, Michel found the admiration for Hebrew culture. He is fascinated mainly by the Hebrew alphabet. After his return to Paris, he started study perseveringly as a self-thought in hours and hours per week... The letters are beautiful to work with them and Michel felt these artistic emotions in very beginning of his artistic journey. New world has been opened to him with its new palette of shapes and signs.
Michel discovered the cursive letters, much more lifeful, more free and modern. The primary admiration has transformed itself to the evident and careful will: to improve and to modernize mastery of outlines of Hebrew alphabet as he likes and in the same way as he used to do with roman alphabet before.
Today, Michel takes the lessons of Hebrew to feel the meaning of signs aborning under his fingers much more strongly.
The work has become diverse quickly, Michel uses new materials to add on value of his works of art. Photographs of beautifully written letters and objects of decoration make great successful profit.
As an artistic director of the visual communication agency he creates logos and logotypes using calligraphic creations to build the graphic images, mural stickers and decorative lightening and lamps.
Expositions
•New Liberec Synagogue “Judaica - Calligraphy”
Liberec (Czech Republic) 2011
• Calligraphy exhibition Fukuyama City Museum (Japan) 2011
• Group exhibition « COULEURS ET MATIERES » Gallery ART de VOIR
Paris (France) 2011
• “Let there be light!” European Days of Jewish Culture of Lorraine
Metz (France) 2010
• III International Exhibition of Calligraphy
Velikiy Novgorod (Russia) 2010
• Tel-Aviv Accessible art - Gebo Art center
Tel-Aviv (Israel) 2010
• Jerusalem Synagogue “Judaica - Calligraphy”
Prague (Czech Republic) 2010
• Urban calligraphy exhibition in exterior of the town,
Israel Palestine “The peace as utopia” Of the year of Utopias & innovations
Besançon (France) 2010
• 2nd International Exhibition for Calligraphy
Moscow (Russia) 2009
• Comptoir des écritures
Paris (France) 2009
• Callifest 2008, Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Art
Mumbai (India) 2008
> Visit the hebrew calligraphy gallery