Viner's artwork from above
Photo: David Einav
Peter Viner: Deeply connected to this country
Photo: David Einav
Farmer creates unique 'Israel at 60' display
A farmer or an artist? Peter Viner forms 'Israel at 60' sign from grain in 17-acre field
Israel's 60th anniversary has taken on one more form, and perhaps the most natural form thus far.
In one huge artistic gesture, Peter Viner of the Beit She'an Valley decided to post the message "Israel at 60" on his agricultural land by using five different kinds of grain.
Field on April 4 (Photo: David Einav)
During Purim, end of March (Photo: David Einav)
Field in December (Photo: David Einav)
Any casual observer will be able to see the enormous display, spread out over 17 acres, over the next few months. The 61-year-old Viner explained, "I am a man of the land and deeply connected to this country. The field is my canvas, and my tools are the paintbrush."
Viner is the only known person in the world who has created such art. Over the years he has "painted" 25 such works, beginning in 1994 following the peace treaty with Jordan. That year he wrote the word "peace" in English, Hebrew, and Arabic.
Viner admitted that the work was not easy. "I don't draw, so first I get someone else to draw it for me," he said. "Then I have to transfer the creation from paper to the field. It's a job that requires great accuracy because I can't see anything except for my tools."
The current creation was planted in November, and will remain until the grain is reaped. "It's a living, breathing work of art that sprouts from the earth, and evolves with time," Viner said, and added that he plans to keep creating such works until 2015 at least.
