Presidents of the United States who attend future operas and concerts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts which opens here next Sept. 8 will occupy a lounge designed, furnished and decorated for them by Israeli artists. The Israel Embassy announced today that the lounge which adjoins the Presidential box will be Israel’s contribution to the center dedicated to the memory of the late President Kennedy. Raphael Blumenfeld, the architect who designed the interior of Israel’s Knesset building, has designed the interior of the lounge at the Kennedy Center. The art and furnishings alone are valued at $200,000. The cost of the project is being borne in party by ” Friends of the State of Israel” in the Washington area, the Embassy said. The theme of the decor is the continuous link between Judaism and music from Biblical times to modern Israel. The ceiling will depict in color musical scenes from the Bible by the Israeli artist, Shraga Weill. Ezekial Kimche is preparing silk fabric panels displaying life in modern Israel which will cover three walls. The fourth wall will have a wood cut panel by Nehemia Azaz depicting musical instruments of Biblical times. When not used by a Presidential party, the 60×20 foot lounge will be open to the general audience as an intermission lounge.
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