In a similar way to which the fashion industry dictates the model for our external appearance, the national state puts forth an exemplary model in terms of personality, moral values and a spiritual character. In Israel this model is that of the Jewish-Zionist hero. This model is embedded very systematically and didactically in the psyche of the citizen, from a very early age and throughout the course of many years. One of this model's primary targets is to create personalities who would be willing to defend the Israeli-Jewish identity with their lives, their bodies. The personality and behavior patterns of the Israeli are to a certain extent a by-product of a failure - a failure to live up to the impossible standards defined by the model of the Zionist hero, whose main purpose is not to live in a society, but to die heroically in battle. In Monuments we're attempting to trace the possible ways in which this intervention on behalf of the national state in the fashioning of the spirit and character of the citizen manifests itself in the daily lives of its citizens, in the way people behave toward one another wherever they are - be it on the streets, in cafes or at home. The three characters on stage fight out an absurd battle to keep the integrity of their soul as something separate and constant, which they alone possess. Through this struggle they find out that perhaps there is no soul without interaction; that the soul is always just a momentary product of an infinite chain of reciprocal becomings between the self and its surroundings. Created for Curtain Up Festival - Suzanne Dellal Center, 2010 and International Exposure Festival, 2010. Dancers and creative collaborators: Karmit Burian, Ran Brown Music: Songs of My Beloved Country, performed by Chava Alberstein Costumes: Karmit Burian, Ran Brown, Rotem Tashach Music advisors: Ran Shevi, Ran Bagno Rehearsal Director: Inbal Yaacobi
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