Tel Aviv

I've spent the last week in Tel Aviv at a film studies conference. I had a fine time, and since it was a small conference, I had the time to really get to know a number of bigwigs in the field, so it was certainly a professional success. But the real boon was in anecdotes:

The conference began with a welcome from the Rector of the University, who announced that he likes movies, but doesn't approve of 3D because he thinks it's a gimmick, and further, he's a mathematician who deals with many more dimensions every day, so he finds this obsession with the third dimension old hat. I was dazzled at the inappropriateness of this, and only hoped that the next speaker might up the ante. Indeed, he was followed by the Dean of Arts, who did not disappoint. She welcomed us by remarking on how terrible it is that our conference was at the same time as the International Student Film Festival, taking place elsewhere in the city, as this meant that we couldn't attend the films, and the students couldn't come to our papers. I should note that they have organized it this way for many years, but it's always good to start on a negative note.

Anyhoo, the conference was the usual combination of scholarship - some interesting, some ill-advised. The crowd possessed a remarkable capacity to make every paper somehow about the fractious nature of Mid-East politics. Some found this irritating, but I thought it was quite fun to watch. What was especially fun was the reception hosted by the University at the home of a big-time donor. The place was amazing, adorned with multiple chandeliers and erotic portraits of the lady of the house. Here is one of the more discreet examples:

The Rector was in attendance, and was dressed like a mafioso, with a grey suit, black shirt, and a white tie. He looked like Paulie from The Sopranos.

The house was full of objets d'art from around the world, including a display of sculptures and tiny bottles of booze in the guest bathroom. I was impressed at the Canadian content. Also, I don't know the provenance of the gentleman with the spear, but I enjoy telling myself that he is a Conquistador, so his position alongside the totem pole suggests an interesting commentary on the history of the New World.

As I was admiring the chandelier illuminating the main staircase, I had the good fortune to look down to the basement, where I noted the presence of three enormous sculptures of penguins who appear to be having a picnic. There may have been more down there, but I was afraid of what might happen if I were to sneak downstairs. Israelis are very serious about boundaries.

The entertainment for the evening was provided by a recent graduate of the University's music program, who began by playing selections from Fiddler on the Roof. This was astounding to the conference participants, who had a hard time dealing with the postmodernism of sitting in a garden in Israel, listening to an American musical about the trials of Russian Jews. I should note that it appears the young violinist was performing without irony. I could not have been more delighted.