Bookniks:
Postcards From the Unholy Land  

Viewed from the outside, Israel sometimes appears to be a maelstrom of violence, insecurity and religious-secular conflict. But Israel is also a hub of creative energy with its emerging subcultures producing often radical and highly distinctive art in a number of fields. “Postcards from the Unholy Land” discusses the significance of the new Israeli culture with some of its most idiosyncratic and interesting practitioners. What are the implications of the vibrancy of Israeli culture for the Israeli state? Are they a challenge to the status quo or an escape from it?

Idit Eshel is a Jaffa based singer-songwriter and emerging star on the Israeli music scene. She has also voice coached major Israeli rock stars including  Shoteh Hanevoa. Her self-titled debut album was released in 2004.

Born in Tel Aviv in 1967, Etgar Keret is one of the leading voices in Israeli literature and cinema.  He is the author of four books of short stories, including The Nimrod Flip-Out and Gaza Blues; novellas, graphic novels and a screenplay.  His movie, Malka Red-Heart, won the Israeli ‘Oscar’ and international acclaim. Keret lectures at Tel Aviv University’s School of Film. Read his interview in the Observer.

Avi Pitchon is an Israeli journalist, performer, artist and curator working in London and Berlin. He was co-curator of 'Conflicted', an exhibition of new Israeli photography as part of the Dash season in London, 2005. 

Dr Keith Kahn-Harris is a sociologist and a founder of the Centre for New Jewish Thought. His book Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge looks in part at the Israeli Extreme Metal scene.