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Sahar Azimi – Curriculum Vitae

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Artistic Direction

• 2021–2025: Artistic Director of the "JAR - Old Jaffa Artists Residency" (Residency Manager: Paz Galinsky). The residency develops creative environments across diverse fields through full-board hospitality, providing comprehensive creative tools, professional mentorship, and enrichment. The multidisciplinary program hosts artists from dance, performance, visual arts (ranging from fine art to design), music, cinema, textiles, and more.

• 2021–2025: Initiator and curator of "Be-Ahava", a collaborative space for process-based creation in Kedumim Square, Old Jaffa.

• 2012–2017: Artistic Director of the "Zirat Machol" Festival and the "New Dance" program at the Interdisciplinary Arena, Jerusalem.

• 2017: "Feedback" – A creative course in dance for emerging independent artists, guiding them from concept to performance (11 sessions).

• 2016: Artistic Consultant for the "Inbal Dance Company".

• 2010–2011: Co-Artistic Director of the "Curtain Up" (Heramat Masach) Festival.

• 2008–2011: Artistic Director of the "Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance Ensemble".

• 2008–2009: Artistic Director of the Dance Department at "MATAN" (Artistic Excellence for Youth).

Visual Arts Experience

• 2024: "Umbilicus Mundi" (Tabor Olam). A group exhibition featuring the work "With the Water" (Im Ha'Mayim) – three video installations projected onto the floor and into the pits of the Kishle (Old Jaffa). The choreography, filmed at the Dead Sea, features flickering reflections of ten dancers. Light refracts on the oily water surface in constant motion, like a dance. The Dead Sea permeates First Temple excavations without physical substance, offering a parallel reality. Edited, produced, choreographed, and directed by Sahar Azimi. Curators: Malu Zayon and Dr. Adina Kamien.

• 2024: "Art Up Nation". Presentation of four works in a group exhibition alongside 70 Israeli artists, curated by Keren Bar-Gil at the "Highline 9" Gallery, New York. Works: "Red Soldier" (ink on paper, 30x40), "Yellow Soldier" (ink on paper, 25x25), "Charred" (Mupcham) (inkjet print on paper, 30x40), "We Are Not Dancing" (video work, 7-minute loop, 15-inch screen).

• 2023: "Hear Their Voice" (Hateshma Kolam). A group exhibition at the "Hostages and Missing Families Forum" headquarters, where artists donated 70% of proceeds to the families’ struggle. Curated by Natalie Ben-Ari. Featured three paintings: "Charred" (ink on paper, 43x59), "Jaffa or Paris" (ink on paper, 43x59), "Laundry Room" (Machbeda) – a concrete cast sculpture (10x15x10) by members of "Protective Edge".

• 2022: Curator for the exhibition "Even a Child Could Do It Better" by artist Sharon Pazner at "Be-Ahava" space.

• 2022: Curator for the solo exhibition "There Was More Room for the Wind" by artist Tina Matza at "Be-Ahava" space.

• 2021: Curator for the exhibition "Scratches" by artist Gadi Tseder at "Be-Ahava" space.

• 2022: Curator for the exhibition "Apple in the Mouth" by artist Efrat Rubin. The exhibition featured 38 scanned oil paintings displayed in the public space opposite the "Ramat Hasharon Gallery for Contemporary Art".

• 2021: Performance created for the opening of the "Fields of Abstraction" exhibition at the "Israel Museum", Jerusalem, curated by Dr. Adina Kamien. "Line Square Circle" is a performative action referencing the work of Richard Long.

2014–2024: Member of the "Protective Edge" artists' collective, alongside Michal Shamir, Yoav Cohen, and Revital Ben-Asher Peretz. The group aimed to break medium barriers and shift viewing habits through social activism, creating numerous installations and performances, including:

• 2021: "Art B&B". In response to the cultural shutdown during the pandemic and to draw public attention to the "comatose" state of the arts, members of "Protective Edge" slept for four consecutive nights in dormant cultural institutions: "Tel Aviv Museum of Art", "The Cameri Theater", "Beit Ariela Library", and the "Israeli Opera". The action was projected onto the Cameri walls and broadcast on social media.

• 2017: "Protective Edge" exhibition at "Chelouche Gallery". A two-month exhibition dealing with remnants of war, destruction, and ruins, focusing on "Operation Protective Edge". Featured painting, photography, sculpture, video, and performance.

• 2018: "Fresh Paint" Art Fair. The group participated with the detainee sculpture "The Laundry Room" and presented a public performance piece.

Performance Creative Experience

• 2025: "Hamlet" – Body dramaturgy and movement consultation for a stage adaptation by Avi Gibson Bar-El and Yarden Gilboa.

• 2022: "M16 Victory Image" – Co-creator with Avi Gibson Bar-El. Winner of the "Golden Hedgehog Award" (2024) for Movement Design/Body Dramaturgy.

• 2021: "In the Heart of the Dormant Pool" – A performance duet (dance, theater, video) premiered at the "Intimadance" Festival, "Tmuna Theater". The audience viewed live video via their private mobile devices via "Zoom".

• 2020: "The Dybbuk: Director’s Cut" – Co-creator in the version by Avi Gibson Bar-El and the "Smartut" group (founded by Honi Ha'Meagel). Featuring 7 actors. Winner of five "Golden Hedgehog Awards".

• 2020: "Party of Ones" – EpseDanse Pro, Montpellier, France. A piece for 15 dancers for the professional training track.

• 2019: "An Especially Spring-like Rite" (Pulchan Avivi Bimiyuchad) – A solo created at "Chelouche Gallery", Tel Aviv. Featuring 100 meters of rope and Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring".

• 2018: "Astunot" (Daze) – A collaborative work with director Avi Gibson Bar-El, premiered at the "Bat Yam Festival", August 2018. A piece for 7 actor-dancers following an installation by Edward Kienholz, performed in alternative spaces.

• 2016: "The First Defendant" – A performative experiment before a live audience featuring actor Oded Menaster and 20 different performers each night. Premiered at the "Israel Museum", Jerusalem.

• 2016: "I See Red" – A duet with dancer Olivia Court Mesa. Premiered at "Kelim Center", Bat Yam.

• 2016: "Isra and Ishma" – Collaboration with the "Moran Choir". Choreography for the piece by Chaim Permont, lyrics by Myra Meir.

• 2015: "One of Seven" – A work for seven dancers created for the "Inbal Dance Company", premiered March 2015.

• 2014: "Poly Monopoly" – A one-hour duet with dancer Orin Yohanan. Performed at "Warehouse 2", October 2014. Explores modern romantic relationships.

• 2011: "Cell in a Human Scale" – A 50-minute piece in collaboration with director Tamara Erde, addressing the HIV virus. Produced with the support of the "Israel AIDS Task Force".

• 2010: "utf8" – A work for seven dancers commissioned and performed by the "ZPA Zagreb Dance Company", later performed in Israel.

• 2008: "Reversi" – Co-created with Odelia Kuperberg for six performers. Premiered at the "Curtain Up" (Heramat Masach) Festival.

• 2008: "Torus" – A work for five dancers commissioned by "Inbal Theater". Premiered at the "Tel Aviv Festival", Suzanne Dellal Center.

• 2008: "Manpower" (Koach Adam) – A duet performed by Sahar Azimi and Rona-Lee Shimon. Premiered at the "Voice of the Word" (Kola Shel Ha'Mila) Festival, Jerusalem.

• 2008: "ZE" – A work for nine dancers performed by the "Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance Ensemble".

• 2008: "OCD No Filters" – An evening work performed by 3rd-year dance-theater students at "Kibbutzim College".

• 2007: "Come, Feel" (Bo, Targish) – A work for four dancers and a musician, following the duet "Iron Horses". Premiered at "Tmuna Theater" and toured nationwide.

• 2006: "Iron Horses" (Susei Barzel) – A duet for two dancers and live music, premiered at "Curtain Up".

• 2006: "Until 120" – Movement for movement-theater in collaboration with director Orly Rabinyan at the "Yoram Loewenstein Performing Arts Studio" with 3rd-year actors.

• 2005: "Living Room in Six Parts" – A solo work premiered at "Curtain Up". A collaboration with the "X-Po Project" at "The Lab" (Ha'Maabada), Jerusalem. Supported by "Teva", "Rabinovich Foundation", and the "Pais Council for Culture and Art".

• 2005: "Interpretation" – A solo commissioned by "Session House" (Tokyo) and "ADC" (Kyoto), Japan. Performed at "Tmuna Theater" and invited to the "Different Festival" in Madras, India.

• 2004: "Now I Want to Forget" – A trio premiered at "Curtain Up", Suzanne Dellal. Invited to "Sziget Festival" (Hungary) and "Non-Verbal Festival" (Croatia).

• 2004: "White Dance" – A co-production with Svetlana Lifshitz combining dance, plastic arts, music, and text, performed on the beach. Premiered at the "Bat Yam Street Festival" and the "Acco Festival".

• 2003: "Herzl Said" – A trio premiered at "Curtain Up". Toured extensively in Europe and participated in a 5-city German tour marking 40 years of Israel-Germany relations.

• 2002: "Itisasisitis" – A duet for a dancer and an actress. Premiered at "Curtain Up" and toured European festivals.

• 2001: "Wildly Laughing" – Choreography for a play directed by Roi Naveh, "Acco Festival of Alternative Israeli Theatre".

• 2001: "Mera" – A quartet for three dancers and an opera singer (Sigal Haviv). Performed at the "Du-Oman" Festival, "Habima National Theater".

• 2000: "Slug" (Chasufit) – A solo featuring a live DJ on stage. Premiered at the "Intimadance" Festival.

Professional Experience as a Dancer

• 2007: "Three Out, One In", Choreography: Odelia Kuperberg, "Curtain Up" Festival.

• 2006: "Berlin Jaffa", Guest dancer for "DeDe Dance" and "WEE Dance".

• 2005: "Martha", Guest dancer in a Richard Move production about Martha Graham, Suzanne Dellal.

• 2004: "In the Heart of the Dormant Pool", Opening night of "Curtain Up", performed later at "Tmuna Theater".

• 2003: "Two Stupid Dogs", Choreography: Emanuel Gat. Premiered at the "Israel Festival".

• 2003: "Rose is Not Waiting", Duet by Ronit Ziv. Performed in Italy and Israel.

• 2003: "The Polish Women" (Ha'Polaniyot), "DeDe Dance" Company.

• 2002/2004: "But the Virgin was More Available", Choreography: Javier de Frutos. A work for eight men, "Dance Europa", Suzanne Dellal.

• 2001–2002: "Clipa Theater", Artistic Directors: Idit Herman and Dmitry Tulpanov.

• 2001: "Deus Ex Machina", Opening performance of the "Israel Festival"; "Labyrinth"; "Moonlight Collage". (Included vocal roles).

• 1999–2000: "Isaurus Frida", "Noa Dar Dance Theater", exploring the life of Frida Kahlo.

• 1999–2001: "The Wedding of Emma Goldman", "Barak Marshall Dance Company". Performance Prize at the "Bagnolet Competition", Paris. Roles included "Aunt Leah".

• 1995–1998: "Batsheva Ensemble", Artistic Directors: Ohad Naharin and Naomi Perlov. Performances: "Kyr", "Anaphase", "Dance Party" (Ohad Naharin); "Six Dances" (Jiří Kylián); "White Tears" (Angelin Preljocaj); "Vane Ode" (Lara Barsacq); "Honeycreeper" (Barak Marshall); "C.F.C" (Saar Magal).

• 1995: "Kol Demama Dance Company", Artistic Director: Moshe Efrati.

• 1994: "Inbal Dance Company", Artistic Director: Margalit Oved Marshall.

Professional Experience as an Actor

• 2023–2025: "M16 Victory Image", Actor in a play directed by Avi Gibson Bar-El, "Smartut" group.

• 2004: "Dream at Fingertips", Lead role in a children's dance-theater play, directed by Amit Goldenberg and Yaara Dolev.

• 2002–2003: "The Dancer", Lead role in an "Orna Porat Children's Theater" production. Directed by Daniella Michaeli, written by Yankale Yakobson.

• 2000: "And Then We Embraced", Original play by Itzik Weingarten. First Prize at the "Acco Festival".

• 1999–2001: "The Golden Fish", "The Soul Bird", children's plays produced by "Mofet Theater".

Awards & Grants

• 2006–2025: Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Dance Department (Dance Group).

• 2025: "Golden Hedgehog Award" for Movement Design for the 2024 season (Body Dramaturgy).

• 2011: "Schusterman Foundation Grant" – Creative and teaching residency at the University of Illinois, USA.

• 2005–2007: "Pais Council for the Arts" Support.

• 2006: "Teva" Pharmaceutical Industries Support.

• 2005: "Minister of Education and Culture Prize" for Young Creators.

• 2005: "Teva" Support for Dance Creators.

• 2005: "Yehoshua Rabinovich Foundation for the Arts" Support.

• 1998: "Sharet Foundation" (AICF) Scholarship.

Additional Work

• 2015–2025: Juror for High School Dance Matriculation Exams (Bagrut), Ministry of Education.

• 2019–20: Apprentice Pastry Chef under Chef Naama Steier | Pastry Chef at "Claro" Restaurant (Chef Ran Shmueli).

• 2008–2012: Contemporary Dance Teacher at the "Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance".

• 2008–2010: Manager of the "Jerusalem Academy Ensemble".

• 2008: Choreography for "Coca-Cola Grip" (TV Commercial).

• 2008: Choreography for "Zoglobaek" (TV Commercial).

• 2008: Juror for the "Other Dance" (Machol Acher) committee, Suzanne Dellal.

• 2007–2008: Dance instruction and masterclasses nationwide.

• 2007: Choreography for "Granini Romania" (TV Commercial).

• 2007: Juror for the "Sharet Foundation" – Choreography auditions.

• 2006–2007: Permanent faculty at "TSEH Summer School of Contemporary Dance" (Moscow).

• 1996–2001: Modern dance instruction at "Bikurey Ha'Itim", "HaBustan" Netanya, and nationwide.

• 1999–2000: "Kfar Ofarim", Counselor for adults on the autism spectrum.

• 2000: Rehearsal Director for "DeDe Dance".

• 2001: Commercial shoot for "CreoScitex".

• 2001: Rehearsal Director for Yossi Berg’s "Most of the Day I am Out".

• 1995–2000: Dance workshops for Ohad Naharin and Barak Marshall nationwide.

• 1999–Present: Masterclasses in Switzerland, Italy, Belgrade, Moscow, and France.

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