Polka Dot Shula - 2007

"The Best Dressed Kiteflyer on the Field!", as described and photographed by David Gomberg.

Kite Connections Fly High

Old friends from around the world gather to share enthusiasm at international event. By Aaron Besecker from The Buffalo News:

...

On the third day of the event, which started Thursday in Niagara Falls State Park, all colors and shapes of kites filled the skies above Reservoir State Park.

At the other end of the kite string were other fliers.

Eli and Shula Shavit, who came from Jerusalem, have been traveling internationally to kite festivals since the mid-1980s.

Flying kites always has been a family activity, said Eli Shavit, whose daughter, Keren, lives in Buffalo. They try to make it to two international festivals a year, Eli Shavit said.

Like many Israeli youngsters, Shavit said he made kites as a child. He got involved again after buying a how-to book in Sacramento, Calif.

“The colors and shapes against the blue skies — there’s nothing better than this,” he said.

Read more...

Niagara International Kite Festival - 2007

This week we'll be at the 2007 Niagara International Kite Festival USA.

Here's a short article from the Buffalo Rising newspaper about it, featuring our Bols:

Once again, the kite fliers at LaSalle Park struck gold. The winds could not have been better (that's coming from a casual observer), and though the attendance was low (being a weekday and all), spirits and the kites were flying high. This year there were some crowd favorites that included two gigantic low flying circular color wheels, along with the infamous Berkeley Kite Wrangler 'Octopile'. The winds were blowing so well that the creatures danced across the sky while being chased by an oversized scuba diver, who in turn was being shadowed by a couple of small sharks. The sight was something to behold.

Read more...

Bloon - 2007

Bloon - Blooming Balloon.

Rokkaku with Circular Log Cabin.
Size: 1.5m x 1.2m

First flight: Cervia, 2007

Shula also made a wall quilt using the same pattern:

Here, displayed at a "Blooming" themed quilt show in Israel.

Star of David Rokkaku - 2002

This Rokkaku kite design was influenced by the colors of Israel's flag, blue & white.
The patchwork technique is "Log Cabin with a Twist".
Size: 1.8m x 2.4m

The Half-Log-Cabin Bedspread Kite - 2003

A Pointed Edo-variant using the "Half Log Cabin" patchwork technique. 2.2m x 2.2m.

3 Generations of Kite Makers

Still making kites, 20 years later, 1988 and 2007.
Same table, different hair styles...

The Boys - circa 1976

Blast from the past!
As far back as the 1970s, our boys were running around flying kites...

Genki Bird - 2002

A Genki-type kite with a "Log-Cabin"bird motif, inspired by Scott Skinner.

Blue & White Star of David - 2004

Star of David Rokkaku variant in White & shades of Blue Seminole Patchwork technique - 240 cm x 210 cm.

Sode Flowers

1997, Sode/Kimono kite variation. 2.1m x 2.7m.
Patchwork technique - Log Cabin with a Twist (from Barbara T. Kaempfer)

Afifoniada - 2007

Eli flying the Bandanna at the Israel Museum Kite Event - Aug. 2007.
See more photos from the event here.

Israel Museum Kite Event - Aug. 2007

This is the Museum's newspaper advertisements (English and Hebrew press) for its yearly kite event, the Afifoniada.
After the success of last years talk, we were invited, again, to give a presentation about our family's kite history and adventures.
The ad shows our "Twisted Flowers" Kite, our "American Bandanna" Delta Kite and the Genki Bird.

New Neighbourhood Community Center Opening Event Brochure - July 2007

Kite workshop & kite flying - We were invited to instruct a workshop and fly our kites.

Israel Museum Jul-Sep 2007 Event Program

The The Israeli Design Center Kite Exhibition

Our kite are on display in the Holon Mediatheque - The Israeli Design Center between 15.May.2007-11.Jul.2007. This is a joint exhibition with several other notable Israeli kite artists, Suli Omer, Vladimir Zaginatzev, Meir Tenenbaum and Ralph Resznik.
The opening ceremony was attended by Holon Mayor Moti Sasson, and Hana Hertzman the director-general at the Holon municipality.

See photos from the event here and here.

American Bandana - Oct. 2005

Inspired by a bandana, this 2.8x2.8m Delta Kite was created using Jose Sainze's applique technique. Spinnaker nylon and carbon fiber. Hand sewn for 4 months!

Israel Museaum Kite Event - Aug. 2006

This is the Museum's newspaper advertisement for its yearly kite event, the Afifoniada.
This year, we were invited to give a talk about our family's kite history and adventures.
The ad shows our "Bedspread Kite".

Magic Tiles Genki Variant

A rectangular variation of a Genki kite. The Magic Tiles Patchwork technique was used to create the basic blocks.

Stockholm Kite Festival - 1998

Israeli Kite Stamps - 1995

Special Sheet

Day of Issue Envelope

We were involved in the design of the Israeli kite stamps. Designed by N&M Eshel.
Description of the bottom row of the special sheet:

The stamp on the right depicts simple, popular kites which are represented by the hexagonal "Tiara Kite", and the rhombic "Eddy" Kite. The bird-shaped kite which appears on the stamp has its origins in the Far East. In the background can be seen a 15th Century picture of a flying, dragon-shaped creature.

The stamp in the center relates to the Western world's contribution in the development of the kites, and here can be seen a Box Kite and the "Cody War Kite". In the background a kite/glider is depicted.

The stamp on the left shows modern, aerobatic kites, a train of rhombic aerobatic kites can be seen on the top section, and at the bottom is an aerobatic "Delta" kite. In the background on the left is a drawing by Otto Lilienthal, one of the great pioneers of flying and the first person who succeeded in achieving controlled flight.

ADI SHAVIT

For more info see here.