It was a very exciting period in my life. In fact it spread over more than two years, since I settled in London. My pictures are always part of my life and my own personal experiences. This time it is the move to a new country, discovering Soho, the neighbourhood where I live, which is the gay centre of the city, a bit like the Marais in Paris.
When I first came here I found it very difficult to “cross bridges” with the local people and with other foreigners like me. The "intellectual" communication is difficult - different languages, manners, codes of behaviour. But at the same time it was all exciting and new, so I found that I made contact in an "emotional" way rather than in an "intellectual" way. This was my revelation that led me to this project. The life in Soho, were most people are foreigners, and are alone in a completely new original environment, creating a new home fro themselves - with new contacts, new ways of communication.
These new unexpected experiences & encounters inspired me to investigate the connection between intimacy and being a stranger. It was an amazing experience - meeting the "models" (I always use friends or people I met and connected with, never “professional” models), establishing this special "bond" of confidence, and then the photo session itself - in many times it was a very strong emotional experience. I explain the background well in the foreword text of my book: link http://www.kobi-israel.com/Press_Foreword.html

2 - Could you tell one private anecdote when making "Intimate Strangers" ?

It is difficult to choose one, as they all were such special experiences - but I will tell you about the way I met Adam. I used to see him at my Gym, almost everyday, between 4-5pm. He was full of colourful tattoos and his hair was always in different colours: red, blue, green, yellow ... I was so curious about him but at the same time I was afraid to talk to him or to stare at him as he never smiled or talked to anyone, always doing his stuff on his own. I hesitated to approach him - he might be straight, or even homophobic.... When another friend–model of mine, Julian (a very cute French boy) introduced Adam to me as his new boyfriend I was taken by surprise.

One year later, I suddenly ran across Adam in a gay chartroom and we started to chat. We had a one hour long intimate and open conversation. He told me he separated from his boyfriend (Julian) and really opened his heart to me. I could see his photos, but at this stage he did not see mine and didn’t have a clue about my identity beside that I live around the corner from him. It was his turn to be taken by surprise when I revealed my identity. That opens the door for a very intimate and enjoyable photo session (Enclosed 1 photo).

3 - How do you select your stranger "models" ?

It has to be a combination of a physical and emotional/spiritual attraction. It is not enough that someone looks good or can photograph well. It is difficult to explain but I will try. Maybe in a way I can identify myself inside the look of the person. It is perhaps this special look in the eyes - revealing both openness and trust, mixed with vulnerability. "Strangers" have to be street wise. it is not easy to move to a new country and start a life there. There is always some element of suspicion, but intimacy breaks this barrier. Those "strangers" are a bit like me - Just moved to London from another countries or even nother continent. I first, like all of us, look at someone who attracts me visually, but then it is this special look in the eyes that makes me "click"...

4 - Who are your favourite photographers ?

Perhaps my first inspiration and influence is the film "Citizen Kane" by Orson Walles (1941), Not only from an artistic point of view but also from a philosophical one. There is one sentence in particular that caught my attention: “It’s not enough to show us what a man does, you need to show us who he is”.
In daily life I keep on asking (or maybe feeling) the same question: who am I? who is the person I photograph really? If you know the film, I can say that I am trying to find deep in the eyes the "rosebud" of my object, and try and find my own "rosebud" in everything I photograph.
My photographic influences are Nan Goldin, Sophie Calle and Philip-Lorca-diCorcia. I find all three inspiring in the way to capture "a story" in one frame. With Nan Goldin I admire the subjects she chooses and what she considered a story, with Sophie Calle - the way she tells a story, and with the Corcica - the way he actually shoots the story.

5 - What questions have you answered for yourself lately ?

I have answered many questions, some of them are explained above - my own experience in creating myself a new home in London, in understanding what is it like to be a "gay foreigner" out of choice, and understanding the wonderful "collage" of feelings associated with this special "status". But most important the questions I answered opened new, deeper questions, and have allowed me to move on to my next quest & exploration…too soon to tell, but it is going into "wilder" internal layers of life & experiences. It is as if I opened one door into a magical room that has another, bigger door inside it. I am in the process of opening the next door...

Firstly tell me a bit about your background. I know you're from Israel, but tell me about some of the specifics, and why you decided to relocate in London?

I come from a small suburban town near Tel Aviv (Bat Yam), low to middle-class residential suburb.

One of my dreams and big passions was travelling, so a few years after my army service I started working as an air steward for El Al, the Israeli airline. This is when I started developing my other passion, which became the big passion of my life - photographing.

I then studied cinematography in New York and in Tel Aviv, and three years ago moved to London, my home now.

I was always fascinated with London, its multi-cultural and cosmopolitan feel, where so many people from around the world, live and interact. It inspires me so much. So, I followed my passion again and moved to London.

Who or what would you say are major influences in your work currently (photographic or non-photographic?)

Perhaps my first inspiration and influence is the film "Citizen Kane" by Orson Walles (1941), Not only from an artistic point of view but also from a philosophical one. There is one sentence in particular that caught my attention: “It’s not enough to show us what a man does, you need to show us who he is”.
In daily life I keep on asking (or maybe feeling) the same question: who am I? who is the person I photograph really? I am trying to find deep in the eyes the "rosebud" of my object, and try and find my own "rosebud" in everything I photograph.

It's the search of making a meaningful whole out of the assorted fragments of life we all collecting through our own personal day to day experiences / perspective. That’s exactly what I am trying to do with my work. To make sense of my life by “collecting” pieces of experiences and open windows to different chapters in my mental, physical and emotional life .

My photography and artistic influences are Nan Goldin, Sophie Calle and Philip-Lorca-diCorcia. With Nan Goldin I admire what she considered as a story, Sophie Calle - the way she tells a story, and the Corcica - the way he actually shoots the story.

In previous work of yours, you've looked at what was a more machismo side of masculinity (ie army life),whereas your current work focuses very much on the intimate and private - was that a deliberate decision?

Yes, it true and a very good point! All my photos are stories of my life, and show different aspects and periods, Psychological and physical.

It is true that the army was a very "macho" period of my life, not only in the physical sense. It can be reflected in my "fragments of life" body or works which portrays an earlier stage of my life, illusionary, dreamy, where all experiences and fantasies seemed like "a fairy tale" and are "idealised". This "machoism" is part of this "idealisation" and "fantasy" world.

The current body of work (Intimate Strangers) is of a later period, and is to do with a higher degree of openness to my inner self, not being afraid of being vulnerable and therefore showing more private, intimate and human sides. Al these bodies of work are part of "the big picture", big project which is all about self identity and self exploration.

What did you hope to capture?

This is another, new chapter in my physical, mental and emotional day to day life experiences , and in a way I give "a permission " to my viewers to see it and share it…

In this specific chapter “Intimate Strangers”, I am sharing my experience and my social life since I moved to live in Soho, London in 2002. (more at the foreword text of "Intimate Strangers" )

"...I was immediately taken by Soho’s vibrancy, with its endless encounters in the streets - where so many eyes meet and then quickly move away. Sometimes these glances last a moment longer and turn into a smile. So many stories, languages, gestures, so many trapped feelings behind those faces...

I was fascinated by the amount of “strangers” in a place where we were all “strangers”. Coming from Israel, I was a foreigner like so many others who came over from another country or another city. We are all foreigners among foreigners here - everyone you lay your eyes on is a mystery, an enigma

Two strangers meet and reveal to each other the most precious secret they have - their intimacy - their naked bodies, their excited breathing, their vulnerability, their morning-after-look. They give to a complete stranger the greatest gift they can – their “naked truth” – while most of the time they work so hard to cover it up by means of fashion and codes of behaviour. You may call these encounters "casual sex" or a "one night stand ", but for me the experience of having someone who only a moment ago was a mere stranger in the street, now lying completely naked in your bed, closing his eyes next to you, giving you the gift of full trust in his most vulnerable state – is pure magic. .."

So, I have decided to explore this magical intimate moments with "strangers".

Is there a type of model or experience that particularly intrigues you? Or a theme or locale that's reoccurrent?

What intrigues me is again those intimate moments with "strangers". So those "strangers" can be a bit like me, someone foreign who just moved to London, most of the time from other countries or even continents. The reoccurrrent "theme" is perhaps this special look in the eyes - revealing both openness and trust, mixed with vulnerability. "strangers" have to be street wise. it is not easy to move to a new country and start a life there. There is always some element of suspicion, but intimacy breaks this barrier.

Color is obviously very important for you in your work, particularly vibrancy. Is that something that's always been so?

Yes, I am fascinated by colour. This is part of my sensual appetite. I love to absorb as much as possible with my senses, especially with my eyes and through my camera lens. Colures are for me like tastes or emotions - the richer the better.

What it is about taking photographs of men and male bodies that inspires you?

Frankly, it is just because it has to do with my sexuality and style life. They inspire me when I watch them sitting in a coffee shop, or in my bed , so it is natural they will also inspire me thoruogh my camera lens. But,last week I have started my new chapter in my IDentity project: Women (yes, also naked) . female bodies also inspire me, in a different way.....

And where to from here in terms of your own work?

I am very busy at the moment. my new book coming out soon, I am working on some new projects and bodies of work, I am being approached by art collectors now interested in my work. My main objective now is to find good galleries to represent me in different parts of the world. I have already been approached by some in Europe, which is very flattering. None in Australia or the USA yet. Would love to have a good gallery there. Knowing myself I am sure I will keep them busy all the time with new exciting projects...

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THE NEW BOOK
====================
Intimate Strangers is your second book, right?

Yes. The first one "Views" is a best seller. Now days it is in its third edition already.

What have you learned while making Intimate Strangers (something you didn’t learn while making Views)?

It Is not about learning but going through experiences. It was a very exciting period in my life. In fact it spread over more than two years, since I settled in London. My pictures are always part of my life and my own personal experiences. This time it is the move to a new country, discovering Soho, the neighbourhood where I live, which is the gay centre of the city.
When I first came here I found it very difficult to “cross bridges” with the local people and with other foreigners like me. The "intellectual" communication is difficult - different languages, gestures, manners, codes of behaviour. But at the same time it was all exciting and new, so I found that I made contact in an "emotional" way rather than in an "intellectual" way. This was my revelation that led me to this project. The life in Soho, were most people are foreigners, and are alone in a completely new original environment, creating a new home fro themselves - with new contacts, new ways of communication.
These new unexpected experiences & encounters inspired me to investigate the connection between intimacy and being a foreigner. It was an amazing experience - meeting the "models" (I always use friends or people I met and connected with, never “professional” models), establishing this special "bond" of confidence, and then the photo session itself - in many times it was a very strong emotional experience. I explain the background well in the foreword text of my book.

Have you got or did you have a (sexual) relationship with (one of) the models?

With some.
All my friends-model get to know me first as Kobi, if we bond on a mental, spiritual & physical levels then I tell them about my photography, and see if they want to participate.

How did you find the right models for your new book? Where did you met them?

I wasn’t really looking for models , not as in "professional models". My "models" are real people, friends. Casual meetings we all experience at the GYM, Beach, coffee, bar, street etc. I will give you an example how I met Adam - I used to see him at my Gym, almost everyday, between 4-5pm. He was full of colourful tattoos and his hair was always in different colours: red, blue, green, yellow ... I was so curious about him but at the same time I was afraid to talk to him or to stare at him as he never smiled or talked to anyone, always doing his stuff on his own. I hesitated to approach him - he might be straight, or even homophobic.... When another friend–model of mine, Julian (a very cute French boy) introduced Adam to me as his new boyfriend I was taken by surprise.

One year later, I suddenly ran across Adam in a gay chartroom and we started to chat. We had a one hour long intimate and open conversation. He told me he separated from his boyfriend (Julian) and really opened his heart to me. I could see his photos, but at this stage he did not see mine and didn’t have a clue about my identity beside that I live around the corner from him. It was his turn to be taken by surprise when I revealed my identity. That opens the door for a very intimate and enjoyable photo session (Enclosed 1 photo).

You are used to photograph masculine men. Aren't feminine guys interesting enough? What's the reason that you photograph masculine men only?

Well, it all depends on the theme of my project….
I have some photos with very feminine guys or eve transvestites (have a look at the next link: http://www.kobi-israel.com/art_Fragments.htm ), but I guess I photograph what I am attracted to, not only sexually but visually - so it can be all kinds of guys. My main interest though is in the looks in the eyes of a person - the expression, the vulnerability. I guess I am attracted to the contrast between a masculine body, portraying virility and confidence, and the sensitivity and vulnerability that I can see deep inside the eyes of a person.


VIEWS
====================
Views is your first book, right?

YEP!

What have your learned while making Views?

It was kind of a self therapy to look back at my adolescence , a time of insecurity and confusion, from a very self-confident & secure point of my life. This look back helped me understand myself better, and also understand others.



GAYSCENES
====================
You have visited the gayscene of Tel Aviv, but also the gayscene of Londen. Can you tell me the resemblances and the differents between this both gayscenes (in your opinion, what you’ve seen)?

Both scenes are open, liberal and full of fun,,, What I like about London is the multicultural aspect of it - so many people from around the world. This is what makes London's gay scene so special and unique... and exciting.

What does an Israeli man has what a British guy doesn’t have?

well, first of all people are not their nationality or even their origin - it is what they make themselves, especially gays who really have to make themselves and establish their own identity. But to generalise, I think Israelis are more direct, more "straight to the point", sometime even in a tactless way. They say about Israelis that they are like a "cactus" ("Sabra" in Hebrew, a way to call someone born in Israel) - they are "prickly" outside but very sweet inside). I think this is part of the concept of "Chutzpah" - a word that only exists in Hebrew - this kind of cheekiness...

And what does a British man has what a Israeli guy doesn’t have?

mm.. again, so difficult the generalise - but I guess the British guys are more polite, that is when they are not drunk... I also like the British sense of humour, very sophisticated..

PAST/FAMILY
====================
You are half Moroccan, half Egyptian, right?

Yes, my father was born in Egypt, my mother 's origins are from Morocco.

What's your birthday?

October 3rd 1970

And place of birth?

Bat Yam, A suburb an town south of Tel Aviv (Bat=Daughter Yam= Sea , The Daughter of the sea )

At what age did you came out of the closet?

18 to myself , 30 to the world

How did your family react when you came out of the closet?

I have an amazing, warm and and loving family. They all respect my lifestyle & my friends and although it was very hard for them at the beginning they did manage to go through a short and luckily fast process of acceptance and to go out of their own closet ... now they are very tolerant to gay people in general, not only me and my friends.

Do they accept you (now)?

Sure, accept me, my choices & my friends.

Are you a practising jew?

Not at all !!!. .

If not so, why not? What do you think about the religion?

Nice idea, so many people were murdered because of religion ...

I am much more connected to a global collective humanist feeling than to religion or nationality. I am fascinated by people and find that we have some much in common - religion and nationalism try to make us different artificially, and it leads to evil things.

FUTURE
====================
Do you have plans to move back to Tel Aviv for living?

At this stage I still wanna move around. I love my life in London. In the future? Maybe Europe , maybe the State or some faraway "exotic " place. Still, Israel will always be my home (but who said we have to have only one home?) I guess i will ll go back to Israel some time in the future. Hopefully it will be a different , peaceful, Israel.

In which cities or countries do you want to stay for a longer time?

Havana
Cairo
Damascus
Beirut
Lisbon
Buenos Aires
San Francisco ...


OTHER QUESTIONS
====================

Describe yourself in 5 words.

Passionate, Spontaneous, Adventurous, Curious and...Impatient.

Were you born in Israel? Where (what city)?

I was born in Bat Yam, a small town south of Tel Aviv.

Where are your parents from? If they're not from Israel, what brought them there? What did/do they do for a living?

My mother was born in Israel, from Moroccan origin, and my father is from Egypt and in the age of 6 immigrated to Israel with his family, following the prosecution of the Jews there. Israel is a "melting pot" for Jews from all over the world, arriving there following prosecution in their countries. Like many Israelis, I am a "blend" of different origins and cultures, in my case Moroccan and Egyptian, both "Sephardic" Jews (Jews from Spanish/Arabic origin) My mother is a housewife and my father is a truck driver, working in the port of Ashdod.

Do you have brothers and sisters? If so, are you the oldest? Youngest? Middle? Are you your parents' only gay child?

I have two sisters and one brother. I am the second born, after my older sister... Both my sisters are married and have children. My younger brother has many girlfriends, so I guess I am the only gay child in the family...

How old were you when you told your family you were gay?How did they react?

Coming from a suburb town and living in a neighbourhood when everyone knows everyone and everyone talks about everyone, and being raised in quite a traditional family, I was horrified from the moment they will discover I am gay. I was mostly afraid of hurting them, and particularly "disappointing" my mother. But since I "discovered myself" I knew I am going to tell them, as painful as it might be. I was living with a boyfriend since I finished my army service (at the age of 21). He was 12 years older than me. My parents and my sisters and brother knew him and liked him very much, but never asked me about our relationship. My oldest sister already knew (I told her when I was 21), and asked me not to tell my mother as it would hurt her. Three years later, when I was 24 I told my youngest sister, but she couldn’t keep her mouth shut and told my mother. When I heard my mother already knows I decided to "be brave" and told her myself. I remember how embarrassed I was at this moment, as we were sitting in a quiet corner in a coffee shop, and I am trying to get myself to tell her, the waiter is "giving me the eye" and asking for my phone number...

Her reaction? What started as a "shock" from my confession (although she knew already, but maybe hoped it will prove wrong...) and a crying session which broke my heart, turned quite rapidly (within less than two days) to full support and unconditional love. In fact we became much closer since and she enjoys taking part in my lifestyle - hanging around with me and my boyfriends, cooking and caring for them. She even joined me and my boyfriend on a trip in France and was sleeping in the same room with us. It was her best holiday ever.

My relationship with my father is more complicated. He is a typical "homophobic" working-class man, but knows about me and respects my boyfriend, chatting with him about "manly" things like mates.

The most interesting and emotional "revelation" was my younger brother’s reaction - he was always hanging around with his "macho" mates, and I always ignored them ( I guess out of fear, but they saw it as arrogance). Since he knew about me, our relationship in fact became much stronger - he respects me and " defends " me. no more "anti-gay" jokes with his mates. The most emotional moment was when during my sister’s wedding I came to sit on the table with his mates and talked to them. I could see a tear in his eye. It was the first time I respected his friends. I realised how wrong I was all these years. Out of fear I misjudged them. This is the problem of "being in the closet" - out of fear of prejudice against you, you become prejudice yourself....

What is the climate like for gays in Israel? It is a macho culture, but it is also a culture that encourages brotherly love. Are people generally homophobic? What are the laws like for gay people? Are there laws protecting gays in the workplace? What about domestic partnerships?

Israel in general is a very tolerant and liberal society. I am talking about secular Israel. As you know, most of the population is secular, with modern and highly developed human rights values but there are also very orthodox communities. Secular Israel, which I am part of, and Tel Aviv (Israel’s main city ) in particular is very open-minded and liberal, much more in fact, than many other Western societies (including in some states in the US, and many European countries). Legally it is very advanced these days. There is no discrimination against gays in social rights or duties. Even if you are openly gay you do your army service, and any "official " anti-gay action will not be tolerated. In fact I know a few army officers who are openly gay. A straight friend of mine who was trying to be clever to get out of his army service, went to the pre-service medical check-ups with make-up on and said he was gay wit a high sexual drive for men. The doctor checking him answered "so what? I am too..."

I remember I was very proud when ex prime -minister Rabin (who I admired, and like many Israelis, was devastated when he was assassinated) decided to grant the full rights of an army-widower the boyfriend of an army officer that was gay and died from cancer while in service. El Al, Israel’s airline (which I worked for many years) recognises gay relationships for free tickets and any other benefits given to any heterosexual couples.

Do gay soldiers feel they have to remain in the closet? Can they openly become involved with one another? How do straight soldiers act towards gay soldiers?

As I indicated above the army as a legal entity does not discriminate against gays, however being a very macho environment, it is not so easy to be "in the closet" and having to pretend while the other soldiers in your tent are talking about women. Still, if you are brave enough to be "out", you may face of course "jokes behind your backs" like in any other mixed environment. Being "in" or "out" is your own choice, inside and outside the army. In any case, in or out in your army barrack, you are bound to find out sooner or later that you are not the only one.

When did you come out? What was it like for you to be a gay man in the army? Did you have a boyfriend in the army? Did you have to sneak around to be with men? Please describe for me your experiences being a gay man in the Israeli army.

My own experience was quite difficult. I led a double life in the army. I had my own problems of identity - I wore uniform and came from a working-class background with "macho" values - I wanted to become an officer, bought myself a gun and a heavy motorcycle, to feel that "I belong". Also, coming from this background I had typical "streetwise" manly mannerisms and looks, so it was easy to be part of "the gang" . At nights, when I was out of the barrack, I would go to gay meeting places, hoping that no-one I know will see me. I was seeing this guy at the time and it was a "secret". I must emphasise that the issue was not leading a double life towards the others, but the internal conflict of identity search. This kind of "identity search" is an important feature of my art.

Also, how did you feel having to serve in the military? It is mandatory service? What role did you serve in the army?

Army service is mandatory in Israel (at the age of 18). I was serving in the intelligence force, which was a very interesting role. Obviously I canot give too many details here.... Tell me about your coming out, during the army and after leaving the army. Did you make a lot of gay friends in the army? I've heard that the friends you make in the Israeli army are your friends for life. Is that true for gays in the Israeli army as well? "friendship" and "brotherly love" are very important values in the Israeli army and society. You are educated from your youth that one of the biggest values is "Achva" ("brotherhood") . It's true that your army friends are usually "for life", and there is no difference between gays and straights. "Achva" has nothing to do with sexual orientation or life style,. and there are many straights that feel the same "brotherly" feeling towards their army friends who are now openly gay and lead a complete different life style, and vice- versa. This is of course a generalization, and there many exceptions in real life, but I really think "Achva" is a unique Israeli value...

What did you do following the army? You went directly to art school? Or did you go to work for El Al? What was life like after the army?

Again, in the "confusion period" straight after the army ("what do I do in life?") , my first choice was to go and study law in the university as I thought this will make my parents proud of me and keep them "off my back" with my sexuality. There is a typical "Jewish" joke about a guy confessing to his mother :"mom, I have something to tell you. The bad news is that iI am gay and have a boyfriend, the good news is that he is a lawyer..." Soon I made a decision to stop "living for others" and start "living for myself" and then I left law school and joined El Al. This was a psychological preparation to "living for myself" with my own truth . The period I worked as a flight attendant changed my life. Discovering new places, people, cultures and visual stimulations that led me into my heart ... and art...

When did you leave Israel? Why did you decide to leave? How is your life different in London than in Israel? Is it easier to be gay in London? What is your life like in London?

I moved to London a few months ago. As an artist I find it artistically stimulating with a lot of artistic activity and opportunities.. I always travelled a lot and was never "stuck" to one place. I love London and also love Israel. I miss the beach, the hot weather, the life outdoors and the warmth of the people in Israel, but enjoy the energy and mixture of people, ethnicities, and the richness of the gay life in London... It's a great city to live and create in... Do you feel like an outsider being in London ? : I do and I don't... I think the wonderful thing about London is that it is full of people from all around the world. It is one of the only true cosmopolitan cities in the world - it belongs to the world! So, you sometimes feel that you belong and sometimes that you don't - wherever you are from... I have some English friends who sometimes feel "outsiders" in London... I live near Soho, and love the international feel of it. So, I feel both an "insider" and "outsider" at the same time...

Are you currently romantically involved? Romantically involved ?

It's the first time I am really "single". I sadly broke up with my boyfriend in the last three years. Before him I was in a relationship of eight years... I dedicated to both of them my book...

When did you know you wanted to become a photographer? Why did you choose photography?

I don't want to sound pretentious, but I find it uncomfortable to call myself a "photographer" - this sounds too technical to describe my relationship with my camera.

"Photography" for me is only a medium to create, experience, explore and live my life and feelings.

I use the camera as an extension of my body and senses, like I use my eyes or hands. When I "photograph" I feel, I explore, I fantasize, I discover, I try to understand...

The photographs appearing in this book are only a small part of the scope of my work -which also covers travel photography, portraits, and urban landscapes. My website gives a fairer reflection of the range of my work.

You say your photos recreate your fantasy life and your reality from your youth and your life in the army. Can you talk more about that? What are you trying to tell us with these photos? What are your photographs about?

This is not about fantasy, but about exploration, self understanding and self-discovery. It's also not about "trying to say something" -this is my life, external and internal, and all the phases I went through- questions, hesitations, understandings, idealisation, fantasy - it's all there. The rest is up to the viewer - for some the army shots might be a fantasy - for some it might be real life...

When did your professional career as a photographer start to take off? What was the first project to get attention? What are you currently working on?

I don't know what do you mean by "taking off" - My first "professional" recognition was when a photo I took of Charles Bridge in Prague was amongst the finalists of a Time Out travel photography competition in the UK. This is still one of my favourite photos, and many people visiting my website remembers it as it stroke them when they saw it in Time Out six years ago. What I consider my real "take Off" is the amazing response and popularity of my website , chosen by many portals as one of the best photography sites.

I am currently focusing on a few different projects. I am working on my new photography book which is more in the direction of the "snapshot" photography that you can find in some section of my current book. It is very intimate ...

I am also working on an interesting "real life" project connected to profiles on gay chat websites and the way people are "selling" themselves...

Explain more about the GMFA 2003 campaign: What makes it London's most controversial anti-AIDS campaign?

Re: the GMFA 2003 campaigns - For example, one of the "scenes" in shot in a cemetery in London, near a grave stone. This scene can raise many eyebrows and provoke many thoughts - There is obviously the connotation of aids and death, but it also provokes feelings to life and joy with the fear of death, and touches an interest issue of connection of morbid activity with sex - many old cemeteries are used as "cruising areas" - like the famous Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris...

Where else has your work appeared?

Up until now I exhibited in France, Spain, Portugal, Israel and the UK. My work appeared in many magazines around the world: ...........

For me the camera is a part of my body, a live organ, like another eye or another hand which assist me to explore life, to ask, to answer ,to understand .

Out of extreme curiosity about life and as an "explorer" my mind is on a continuous journey of questions, back and forth, right and left, trying to figure out, to realise, to get closer .

Like the many different questions I ask, so there are many answers. Some need a more careful observation while others are simple and direct. My "staged projects" are the way I choose to search for answers or in some cases try to detect the answer to questions that have remained open for many years. By recreating some scenes, I have recreated and brought out the emotions. Sure they had an affect on me - it was "therapeutic" as well as artistic - for example the young soldier in the car at night staring with interest, fear and excitement - is me on the first night that I "dared" to leave the base where I was stationed, taking my commander's car and driving to a beach in the Tel Aviv area where I heard there was "gay cruising" going on at night. I was excited, aroused, and fearful that someone would recognise me. The ultimate "forbidden pleasure".

I took the "model" to the exact same beach, the same spot, at the same time of night. You can imagine what emotional "flashbacks" I went through while holding the camera and "directing" the guy.... When I captured the right frame, the stare in the model's eyes mesmerized me - I felt that I managed to recreate not only a "real life scene" but unleash a trapped emotion. Later on , when I started receiving feedback from viewers saying that this photo triggered the same reaction in them - I felt I touched on a "pan-gay" or even "pan-human" nerve - nothing to do with geography or culture - the moment of discovering, of daring to make the move to get close by, to witness, the urge to participate, and at the same time the deep fear....

Can you tell me something about the subjects of your photos; who are they, are they mostly gay or straight, how did you meet them, and how you negotiated taking their photos?

Most of my subjects are gay, few are straight. I don't really use professional models but "real life" people - friends and friends of friends that their look "inspires" me or triggers a familiar feeling in me. I don't choose them by their sexuality (in some cases I don't even know if they are gay or straight). It is something about their gestures, the look in the eyes, facial expressions and in many cases the combination of beauty and vulnerability... something that brings back memories, raises my interest and makes me identify with them ..... I never plan any scene in advance, it usually starts with a guy that I meet something in him triggers this memory and feeling - then I plan the scene and the shooting...

There is no actual "negotiation" - I meet them, we talk, "connect" (more than 26 ways to connect - see the snow story in the next paragraph …:-) ) , I tell them what my wishes are and ask them if they want to do this with me. I involve the "model" in the scene, tell him about the moment and emotion I want to recreate. It doesn't matter if they're gay or straight - the guys that are "doing this for me" are sensitive enough to know what I am talking about. They trust me and know this is not about pornography but about feelings...

What were their attitudes to be being photographed in homoerotic contexts, and exposing their bodies to gay male admiration?

It starts when there is "chemistry" with me. We talk, they trust me and like what I am doing. So there is no problem here. Maybe some are even flattered to think about gays admiring their bodies (and I am sure they experience this just by walking in Tel Aviv, where people don't hesitate to stare at you if you look good. A compliment is a compliment, whether it comes from Gays or women... ) They obviously know I am gay, and feel confident with me (just like I do with them). Let's put in bluntly - a guy who is "homophobic" won't even reach the first stage of my wanting to work with him, so the ones that I choose - are either gay or "gay-friendly" or just beautiful free souls without any emotional "hold ups".... If I like and can relate to the photographer I wouldn't mind posing for a "female" art project, so why should they mind ... Although my strongest support is from the gay community, my main interest is to talk and show gay life to people in general.

Can you tell me something about the emotional lives of men, generally, in Israel, and gay men in particular, and how you feel the Israeli experience is different to that in other countries? How does military service shape the gay male experience, and the development of gay identity, in Israel?

First of all - legislation-wise - since 1993 you cannot avoid the military service if you are gay. There are equal rights and duties for gays in the army, and they are protected against any sexual harassment or any kind of discrimination based on their sexuality, just like any other soldier.

Still, Israel is a very "macho" society, and the army service is the epiphany of this "machoism".

At the same time the closed, sometimes isolated, way of life in the army - the need to help , and give, hold, hug, sleep together, wash together, suffer together and experience extreme emotions of fear, and relief together, creates a unique connection between the soldiers of the unit - a kind of "brotherly love that transcends friendship and even sexuality.... .... for gays it can be quite a confusing experience , as the line between this "brotherly love" with many physical gestures, touching, hugging etc, and sexual attraction (especially at the age of 18 when your hormones are shooting in all directions) -is quite thin...

Still, when you are with soldiers that you get to know in such physical and emotional intimate conditions (and in the fighting regiments, your life depends on their actions and vice versa) - your sexuality (that in many cases "comes out" openly after the army service), becomes secondary... what I am trying to say is that in many cases ex-soldiers (especially from the fighting regiments) stay "friends for life" after their army service, and even if one of them is openly gay, he becomes "part of the family" for his "straight" friends - you hear expressions like "you know me better than my girlfriend" etc. Of course this is not always the case, and there are many opposite examples, but on the many occasions that I have encountered - "macho" straights who discover that their close friend from the army is gay, do not "freak out" and abandon him later in life....

This perhaps can also explain my answer above regarding the attitude of my models, who are all ex-army soldiers...

You mention that you first realised you were not ‘alone’ as a gay man when you encountered another gay soldier. Can you tell me more about that experience, and do you think it is a common one for young gay Israeli men?

I am sure there are so many nice gay "discovery" stories in army life, here is mine.

In January 1990 I had a motorcycle accident (while I was in the army) and consequently had to move from a "fighting" position to a "disciplinary" roll in my base. I was in charge of discipline, and as such I needed to "call to order" all the soldiers in my base.

I noticed that Alon, one of the soldiers , a very nice looking blond guy , cracked many "gay" jokes about his fellow soldiers, but sometimes he mentioned names of places and cruising areas that only gays know of, and I had just discovered them myself. There was also a look in his eyes that confused me....I asked him one day to come to my office for a "talk" . I decided to pull a joke on him and punish him for his arrogance. I told him that we had been following his moves when he was out of the base, and that I want him to tell me the whole truth about his life. "No lies!"

In a very quiet voice he told me about his double life, I was very much surprised to understand we both used to go to the same places in the evenings, but never met face to face. After I made him "confess" for nearly 2 hours, I told him I am gay too. He was shocked!

We immediately became close friends , spending a lot of time together (to the surprise of everyone in the base - how come the discipline sergeant is so friendly with the "naughty" soldier...)

We used to spend time together in the evenings and on weekends , in and out of the base, giving each other a great level of self confidence up to losing our army discipline (which I was in charge of ....).

Once we went out to a gay club and he got very drunk . Instead of going back to the base he stayed the night at my place. I forgot to turn the alarm clock on and we were both late to the base the next morning. Since it was the end of my military service , my commander "forgave me" for being late but insisted that I put Alon on "disciplinary trial" . It was a funny situation - me filing up a complaint form and bringing him to trial. He received a punishment of 14 days "no leave". However, in the evenings he was scaled the fence and I, his disciplinary sergeant, was waiting for him in my car so as to go together to a gay club in Tel-Aviv

Did you find the Israeli army more or less homophobic than wider Israeli society? How are gay men treated in the army by their fellow soldiers, are gay men more often openly gay in the army or closeted? Are sexual relationships between soldiers common, and are they tolerated?

It very much depends on where you are based and your role. There are many open bases, like a day job where you return home almost everyday , then you can live your life openly . to be in or out is each individuals decision. These days there are many openly gay soldiers in the army (but many more "in the closet", mostly of their own choice) . Still, rarely you will find a top army officer openly gay. There was a case of a high ranking army officer who was openly gay and when he died his boyfriend was recognised as an army widower and received all the rights and help as such (by Rabin who was the minister of defence at the time)

How does the value of "Achva", or brotherhood, affect gay men in the Israeli army? How has it changed you?

The term ACHVA trancsends any kind of sexual attraction - it is a sense of strong friendship, brotherly connection, that can only evolve in a place like the army where you experience all these fears, difficult conditions, humiliation and a constant threat to your life. You are surrounded by your fellow soldiers, and at times your life depends on their actions and vice-versa. Under high pressure situations, you get to know them intimately like know one else does - not even their parents or girlfriend (or boyfriend...)...

It can be confusing for gays, as a strong hug or even kiss, that are normal manfestations of this ACHVA can be misinterpreted , or sexuallly arousing.

You might feel "guilty" that the beautiful soldier that hugs you so warmly might discover one day that you are gay, and suspect that the warm hugs you gave him in return could have been out of "ulterior motives", but this is only in your mind... At times, you may also feel reluctant to accept and return the physical warmth from your fellow soldiers because of your own hidden fears. This however usually goes away after you spend longer times with your "mates" and feel that real sense of ACHVA which as I said is on a different level than any kind of sexual attraction...

What are you trying to communicate about your journey in this book?

I felt confident enough to "be unreserved" and take "strangers" with me on my journey into myself... I sincerely hope that the people paging through the book will find themselves in there, and realise that they are making a similar "journey" while looking at the photos, and not only admiring good looking guys with beautiful bodies and in uniform...

Given that you are trying to communicate your personal life journey and to show the deeper "human side" and "internal world" of thesoldiers, does it bother you that some people will be attracted to this book due to their personal sexual fetishes for military imagery?

Not at all. But hopefully, in addition to the sexual arousement they will also get that "special" feeling I am trying to communicate... There are many army fetish books and magazines. I was told my book has that "something special" - the emotional, delicate and "vulnerable" qualities, which make it unique. I hope this is so...

Israeli born Kobi Israel, now based in London England is putting a face on creative artist coming out of Israel. Educated in still and cinema photography from the School of Visual Arts in Tel-Aviv, Israel and the New York Film Academy in New York City; Israel was destine to show the world his insight of the “Global Village” as he see it. I had the opportunity to catch up with Israel in London and talk heart to heart about what it means to be a photographer in this modern art world.

Stëphén White: So tell me, what made you get into photography? Did you ever do any other mediums beside photography?

Kobi Israel: No, only photography . In my early 20’s I was excited about this tool that could keep tracks of life. A too that could stop life and freeze that specific chosen moment forever . It was like making a diary of the moments, places, and people.

SW: Growing up in Israel, what influence did that have on you? Do you come from an artist family?

KI: Not at all. I came from a very everyday people background . It wasn’t until I was in my Twenties that I visited galleries or museums. My family didn’t really understand the idea of seeing art. In some ways they still don’t understand the “ Practicality ” of what I do.

SW: Do you use that power of your upbring in your work?

KI: I use that power of independence in my work, but as for being exposed to fine art in my youth, no.

SW: What photographers inspired you and why? Have you met any of your inspirational photographers while working on a project?

KI: The first artist who inspired me was Sofie Calle . Her voyeurism concepts she created made me be very excited and comfortable with what I do today . Then there is Nan Goldin, which I had the opportunity to meet in PhotoEspan forum. The simplicity and the down to earth personality was a great revelation and actually that revelation is what make me so happy every time I see art .

SW: How do you go about planning a project? What goes on in your mind? >From the projects I've seen of your work there is a sensibility yet the reflection of the real world. Are you projecting yourself in the subject matter? I feel it's almost yourself you are photographing-the expression of who you are. When using models or people are you projecting yourself in the frame?

KI: I never really plan a project. I follow my instincts and I’m very spontaneous towards my creativity. Yes, it is probably all about me, but only from a curiosity to investigate and try to understand humankind. I am very much intrigued by life’s curiosity and about it’s humanity. My main photographic preoccupations are everyday life and the people surroundings that environment of urban and rural landscapes. I believe in “life” base on experiences. The basic attitude towards life that goes beyond prior knowledge of an event. Life for me is mainly based on human instincts that we are being born with , and then is shaped through the specific outside knowledge that each individual gain depending on your background , location, history etc.. What is this knowledge, what is human-kind, what form of human-kindness, what is in this forms, and what is the symbiotic connection creating and reforming these form? These are my plans. In my photographs I put each individual’s soul I photograph in the centre of every project I’m engaged. But, in order to make this happen I feel one must understand themselves and the nature of who and what they are. I am always changing and exploring who I am. I am always challenging myself to understand this world in which I exist. With this growing photography documents and keeps order and evidence of this investigation for my past, present, and future. For me, if I was to have a written plan it would say I first I need to understand who and what identify me? Then I guess I need to understand the method how I was identify by myself how I was identify by the others and who are the others? Myself, my family, my friends, my town, my country, and the technology of my time. These are the aspects and the question I have trying to deal with . On my website: http://www.kobi-israel.co.il/art_SPEnglish.htm:, I show all these things in detail.

SW: Tell me about your last solo exhibition "Partnership" in your home country of Israel in 2001? How were the reviews? Do you feel your work was embraced or rejected? Do you feel your ideas were understood and taken with what piece was about? In 2002 "Fragments of Life” , "Descubrimientos PHE02" - PHotoEspana 2002 , International Festival of Photography held in Madrid, Spain was a group show of digital photography. Do you do a lot of your work on the computer? Which do you like more, traditional chemicals or using the computer as a tool? There a great debate about companies whom original claim there inks for digital prints were archival, but independent testers fount out different. How does that affect or effect your work?

KI: I am very much interested to go into digital printing and editing. Digital printing is something I’ve just begun to introduce into my work. I am not sure people are understanding what I am trying to say and do in my exhibitions, but that’s ok with me . as long as I make them feel something. The contemporary art scene is so diverse that you can not expect people to understand a specific context. Actually, through my web site I feel people get the time to see my work closer. They connect much easier and I feel they understand what I am doing.

SW: Once a piece or project is finished, do you ever go back and re-do it or start afresh a new idea if it isn't working for you?

KI: I hardly go back and change, I leave it behind the way I did it and move on .

SW: A load of your work is dealing with the male image and figure, which most people would assume your own sexuality is being mixed in and shown to the world. Is this the case? Is sexuality a base you leap from in your work? Are you open about your sexuality? Should your sexuality matter to your work? Photographer Greg Gorman published "AS I SEE IT" in 2000. In this book Gorman is using the male image and figure as an investigation of communication of sexuality, eroticism, and sensuality of an individual. It's quite without mistake he used he own life experiences within the compositions he's framed. Can you relate to the environment or is it totally different for you when shooting? Why or why not? How do you go about choosing your models? What points are looking for in that model? Or do you choice a model on your attraction to them?

KI: Currently I choose my models by their expressions. I need to find a sweetness and innocent expression that is suitable to what I am trying to say. And yes, all that I do is based on my life experiences and memories. I am very comfortable with my sexuality now, but I will always remember the fears and the anxiety I felt at18 years old. I had just joined the army and the fear of being discovered having an attraction to men was so overwhelming. The project “Being a Solider,” Tell that’s story that so many young gay men face. It’s funny when one thinks of the military, which is a brotherhood. The army is a homo-social establishment based on the brotherhood between men . Homo-social environments as such are often characterized by homophobia, a fear and hatred of homosexuals , arising from the need to draw a clear line between the homo-social and the homo-sexual /erotic on the one hand and between "brotherhood " and "love" on the other. Military service of homosexuals is a threat to this artificial "balance", as it is likely to uncover the homo-sexual within the homo-social, and to blur the distinct line between heterosexuality and homosexuality.

SW: What project are you work at the present? When is the next public exhibition and where? Do you have any book projects in the works?

KI: Yes, I am working on a book project with the German publisher Bruno Gamunder – soon will have more details about that project. It will be very exciting to see my works in a book form. At the moment I am still dealing with the project “Fragments of Life" .

Q - An Image is always susceptible to a personal interpretation. Do you find a difference in the way that you see one of your photographs and the way someone else does?

A - Definitely. This is the great thing about art in general. Different things that different people find in my photos fascinate me. Art is about delivering some magic that can be interpreted in many different ways. It is an interaction between the artist, the work and the viewer. Sometime I get someone showing me an interesting detail or observation that I did not notice when I took the photo. With my "gay" work, for example, I hope I transfer some "internal" meaning, something about the psychological world of "my objects" and not just an external aesthetic impression - but what is this "internal" meaning is up to the individual viewer to feel and react to.

Q - Do you think that a photographer is able to arouse discussion or reflection about a certain theme just through the end product, the photograph?

A - Yes. I hope my photos do this. "Arousal" is the right word (not in the physical sense only (). Whether it is a discussion, a reflection, a feeling, a thought. And again, it does not have to be a "general" discussion, but a private one - between the viewer and the photo - I hope the moment the viewer moves his eyes from the image, he/she continues to "discuss" it or reflect on it within himself.

Q - The boundaries/limits between what may be considered erotic, pornographic or just the mere sexual exploitation of an image for commercial purposes is not always clear. Would you say there is still an artistic playground to be explored within the gay theme in photography?

A - This is exactly where I am coming from. I have no interest in pure erotic or physical images, and of course not in sexual exploitation, but am after "the internal world" reflected in the eyes of the "model", in his expressions, his gesture, even expressed in his body. I can say that my work is more "artistic/psychological" and definitely not pure erotic or porn. I can tell you an interesting story - I met a very good-looking guy who offered to pause for me naked. During the whole session I concentrated only in his eyes, they mesmerized me - and I found so much content in them. I think he was disappointed to see that I was not interested in his beautiful body, but in his eyes alone.

Q - What possibilities and/or limits do you see in photography as a means of expressing emotions, feelings or standpoints in relation to a certain object?

A - Well, I probably answered this question already - but for me this is the essence of my work - I am only interested in capturing, expressing and arousing emotions and feelings. Pure "stylistic" photography with just aesthetic values and no depth does not interest me. So I explore the possibilities of doing this through a camera, and this is what I consider "my art". Of course this is not an easy task and there are obvious limitations. This is my challenge. Photography is just a technical medium for me to express and arouse feelings and emotions.

1) What and/or who are your influences in photography, and more specifically in male nude?

My main influences in photography are the works of Nan Goldin and Sophie Calle . Ilove their way the approach to everyday life. I can also add Richard Billingham in his Ray's laugh series. Specifically in male nude? Unfortunately I cannot think of someone who inspired me. Most of the great nude photographers are concentrating on the body and the "outside", but I am trying to get something about the internal self of the object.

2) How did you feel when you photographed a male nude for the first time? Was it like sex for the first time? Who was the model? How did it happen? Please tell the story.

Well, you are absolutely right asking this question. It was kind of a "first sex" experience. For a long time I have been offered (gently) to photograph men in nude. I was "horrified" of the idea although I wanted to do so for a long time. It was only when a nice looking guy I met, very sweet and full of joy, asked it in such a charming and innocent way, that I decided to try it. His name is Rami . I took my BF (just in case) and we went to the fields of a Kibbutz in Israel. you may see the results at : That session opened a wide door to the next shooting (Nude, gay, male etc... )

3) How and where do you contact your models? How do you make them look so at ease and spontaneous in your pictures?

Up untill now, most of my models are friend of mine or friends of friends . but lately I moved to Madrid and I am looking for new models which I will probably get through internet or personal encounters in bars and clubs (in Madrid and around the world )

4) Mainly because of global mass media - especially in advertising, fashion and gay magazines -, we are being imposed a certain male beauty pattern, today, all over the world. Do you think that this is good or bad? Why? Do you regard it as important that the nationality and cultural and ethnic singularities of different parts of the world also be shown through male beauty photos?

Oh yes, it is a very big problem - many still glorify the western, white , hairless, young developed body, although you can see many new directions with different objects. But… it's all body. What about the soul? I wish editors and publishers of Gay magazines will will venture with the contemporary art scene much closer and will be more brave and try new venues, new styles, new "poses "…

5) What type of camera, film and equipment do you use?

I mainly use the 35 mm (Canon EOS 3 and 5) , which I find to be very quick shooting format, easy to operate, easy to get the spontaneous moments I am trying to capture. for my art projects I use the medium format (Mamiya 7) since I intend to enlarge the prints and I want to keep the quality in the enlargements.

6) It is common knowledge among professionals that excellent equipment and great technique are the core of good photographing. Do you subscribe to that idea? Or are there other things that add to the process just as much?

Not any more. Especially now, in this Post- modernist era, when everything is allowed, we should put less emphasis on the technical quality. It is a time of re-creation, searching for new visual languages. No more narrow venues of fine art photography - the camera is just a tool not the goal. In the contemporary art scene, this is the time to deal with the multi discipline fields - inter media, video art and installations, and think "originality" and not "technical perfection". The quality of fine art prints, lighting, sets, becomes less important. We search for new ideas, new way of telling a story, new visual language. Now , more then ever this field is open to individual interpretations .

7) What advice would you give to beginner photographers?

Experiment ! try everything by your self. follow your heart , your feelings, your inside (in other word- don't follow what you have been taught in school ). Try to find out your own"private voice" through yourown soul.

8) You shoot series of pictures that usually tell a story, or expose someone's lifestyle. Where do you get these ideas? Picture books? Movies? What is your intention with sequential images?

I come from a background of cinematography studies. So I guess this is the answer. I shoot in a "narrative" way but when choosing the best frames, I try to break the narrative.

9) Alon Project's erotic appeal, although not explicit, feels real. Were the models posing or was it actually happening and you just registered the performance?

For me, the camera is multi functional tool. It plays a part in the "field" and by being there influence the way the models behave, but at the time it registers the "real life" activity .

10) In those pictures, the models are naked from the waist up, only suggesting that they are completely naked. Were they naked waist down, too?

I will tell you a true story - When i was in Paris I met a very nice looking guy name David. He posed completely naked in front of the camera. i started to shoot with a Tele lens (200mm ) where I could see "his soul" in his eyes. I forgot all about his "body" and concentrated on his eyes and his "inside". I think he was a little disappointed when I sent him some images, since he was hoping to get images that glorify his body , but I was very happy to capture a unique image that expressed some "soul".

11) Still in Alon Project, all of the pictures have very saturated color and a lot of contrast. Besides, you use backlighting; the models are always strongly lit from behind, even more than from the front. What do you intend to achieve with these resources?

I don't want to tell "one more story", I want to tell a new story. I pay much attention to the coloring as an emotional tool, an expressive mechanism. I use a lot the cross process (slides developed as negatives), which increases the contrast and saturates the color.

12) Please tell us about Alon. Who is he? How did you meet him? How did you get him to pose for you? You have placed Alon's essay on a page called "Pride". Is there any sort of gay rights connotation? If so, why?

Alon is an Israeli guy I know for my town 3 years before I got to shoot the project. all the story is on the next link : now he lives and work in L.A (because of this project ) My photo of him was featured on the cover of an Israeli gay magazine called "Pride".

13) What is so beautiful and interesting and exciting about Alon that inspired you to make a long series having him as the central character/theme?

His confidence with the camera was very special. He behaved like a professional although it was the first time for him to pose. I have been working before with famous international performers , and I appreciated his natural behavior.

14) You use mirrors a lot, and they create images and even surfaces found on the streets which incidentally reflect the doubles, the things and the people. What do you seek for, in double images?

I don't think about it, but when I run across it I never think twice. I shoot. I guess it's some subconscious attraction to "reflections' and doubles….

15) In some of your series you try to portray or rebuild the daily life (even if a bit of glamour is added) of a middle-class gay couple. What is your intention there?

16) As a flying attendant, you have traveled around the globe, and besides countless sights, you have also seen all types of men and male cultures. Which ethnic group(s) attracts you more? Why? Which ethnic groups offer the most men who fulfill your concept of male beauty?

Again, it is not the outside male beauty only that I am after. For example - the NYC Chelsea scene is physically beautiful from the outside, but the "day after" it is boring and monotonous (sorry boys…). I must say I like the Spanish and Latin warmness and "feeling" . It's easy to see the human spirit sparkling thorough their dark eyes…. I like their eye level attitude and even the hot blooded manners. It is quite similar to the Israeli mentality. I must say I am quite confused with the American, British and "Northen European"