Reflection is an audiovisual installation that was installed in the historical Pool of The Arches in Ramle. The Pool was inaugurated in the year 789 under the Muslim rule of the region as part of the city water supply system.

The artwork focuses on songs that are being sung simultaneously in Hebrew and Arabic and heard through 8 speakers hung from the ceiling of the Pool. Circular images are projected on the walls of the pool. The projected images are based on ancient musical instruments photographed while being played: drum skins and a decorated rosette filmed from the inside of an Oud. The installation emphasizes the Pool of the Arches’ unique aesthetics and the movement in space – rowing through the water, creating moving ripples – while visitors listen to the different musical sections.

Reflection is based on popular Arabic songs to whose melodies Jewish cantors set Hebrew words, creating piyyutim (Jewish liturgical hymns) expressing love of God and yearning for the Redemption. The Arabic love songs are identified with popular singers, such as Fairuz or Sabah Fakhri. The melody is the same, thus hearing the piyyutim and the songs simultaneously, creates complex harmonic relationships between the Arabic and the Hebrew voices.

Reflection, a project of CACR Ramle, is curated by Dr. Smadar Sheffi.

Musical Arrangements & Director: Yaniv Raba || Vocals: Yahala Lachmish, Dema Kablan, Gil Rabi || Oud: Yaniv Raba || Percussion: Roei Friedman || Mix, Additional Production: Aviad Zinemanas || Cinematography: Nadav Porat-Chomsky || Installation photos: Ron Peled