Software: Fusion 360, Adobe Creative Suite
Location: Natalie and James Thompson Gallery at San Jose State University
The project: An exhibition about Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the man who revived the Hebrew language. The exhibition is split into three sections: in the home, in the school, and words. Each section of the exhibition implies and shows the different way Ben-Yehuda revived Hebrew. The exhibition aims to educate visitors on the process of reviving a language, specifically Hebrew.
Who is Ben-Yehuda? Ben-Yehuda was a Hebrew lexicographer and newspaper editor. He was the driving force behind the revival of the Hebrew language in the modern era. He revived a dying language and developed a new words that could replace Yiddish and other regional dialects.
Why an exhibition about Ben-Yehuda? This project instructed me to pick one individual that inspires me.I chose Ben-Yehuda because he revived the language that I use everyday to connect me back to my culture, family, and birthplace. Since relocating from Israel and moving to the United States at the age of eight, the language is the only thing that constantly unites me to my homeland. He shows that one shouldn't give up on their dreams even when others are against them.
Design challenge: I tried making an interactive space that individuals can experience Hebrew and feel the passion Ben-Yehuda had about Hebrew. After some research, I learned that Ben-Yehuda had three ways of reviving Hebrew. This finding anchored my exhibition and project, splitting the space into three sections and creating three distinct experiences for the visitor. I tried making each section interactive leading there to be several experiences one can get in a single space.
In the home: Includes an bubble like structure that imitate Ben-Yehuda's home where Hebrew was only allowed to be spoken. Ben-Yehuda's kid, Itamar, wasn't allowed the leave the house so he wouldn't be exposed to other languages. Therefore, the bubble is a space where only Hebrew is heard and the surrounding will show all the other languages spoken at that time. A videos will be projected on the floor and music will be played to get the full experience and to imitate Itamar's surrounding. Up until entering the building, other languages will be seen but once inside, Hebrew slogans will welcome individuals into the space.
In the school: From the moment that viewers enter the building, only Hebrew will be displayed. When entering they have a chance to interact with Hebrew through building letters on the wall and with two interactive screens. The walls allow the visitors to pick a letter from the Hebrew alphabet and then try to build that letter from broken pieces. There are two touchscreens where users will learn how to write letters or can try building a word from scattered letters.
Words, words, words: This area of the exhibition will act as Ben-Yehuda’s office where words and letters were seen. The floor will include all of his published work, the newspaper and dictionary. When walking into the area the visitor is greeted with letters hanging from the celling. They can walk through a room full of letters and experience the letters up close. The letters are those from the Torah to signify the transition from the Hebrew seen in the Torah to modern everyday Hebrew.