Dani Karavan is an Israeli sculptor and environmental artist, famous for his site-specific environments in which he uses various materials and media, icluding sand, stone, sound and light, water and wind. He is recognized bot in Israel and internationally. Twice he has represented Israel at the Venice Biennale.
Background
Dani Karavan was born in 1930 in the family of Abraham and Zehava Karavan, who immigrated to Israel in 1920. His father was the chief landscape architect of Tel Aviv from the 1940s to the 1960s. At the age of 14, Karavan began studying painting in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
From the early 60s Dani designed scenery for theatre, dance and opera. At the same time he created site specific sculptures in Israel.
In 1976 represented Israel in the Biennale of Venice. Since then he has created environmental sculptures around the world, exhibited in various museums and received numerable international awards.
Education
Karavan studies at Bezazel School of Arts with painter Ardon. Also studies in Tel Aviv with painters Anvi, Stematsky, Streichmann and Marcel Janco.
Karavan returned to studying art after being Kibbutz member in 1948-1955.
Career
First success came to Karavan in 1958, when he won the first prize for the design of the pavilions of the Ministry of Development at the exhibition celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Israel.
During 1960-1974 he combined creation of environmental installations with designing stage sets for Martha Graham Dance Company, the Batsheva Dance Company, the Israel Chamber Orchestra and others.