Super Star | The Legend of the Iconic Star Fan
The Star fan was the first environmental sculpture I ever created. When I shared the idea with others, they said, “You have no chance,” “It won’t work,” and “It’s a waste of time.” And honestly — they were right! I had never made an environmental sculpture before, I wasn’t a recognized artist, and the odds were slim. Yet, I could see it in my imagination, standing in Rabin Square, and I believed I could make it real.
I installed the fan in Rabin Square in the summer of 2012, responding to the social justice protests that had swept Tel Aviv the year before. I imagined the location with the most impact and the image that would deliver the strongest message — a fan in the heart of the city.
I chose the Star model, found in nearly every Israeli home, evoking nostalgia, simplicity, and modesty — yet carrying a message of change and a fresh breeze. Installed in July–August 2012, the fan attracted visitors from all over the country. People came to see it, photograph it, and media covered it both locally and internationally. For me, this was the moment I realized imagination could become reality if you believe and commit.
The Gorli Legacy | Interview with Yuval Gorli
I spoke with Yuval Gorli, son of Bezalel Gorli, designer of the original Star fan. The story begins in the 1940s, when Tel Aviv was just sand and pioneering spirit. Bezalel Gorli, a visionary industrialist from Russia, started with a small metal workshop and quickly became a master of design, engineering, and production.
He created Israel’s first industrial metal guillotine, designed the original Star fan, and eventually the Super Star. Through decades of meticulous work — from screws to typography, colors to proportion — Gorli transformed everyday objects into cultural icons. The Star fan became a staple of Israeli homes, government offices, and even Buckingham Palace, resonating emotionally and culturally with generations.
Yuval reflects on his father’s genius: “There was a need, and my father identified it. He designed a reliable, functional product, created a production line, and marketed a fan that people bought by the hundreds of thousands. It became part of the landscape. It was everywhere, and everyone remembered it fondly.”
Artistic Perspective
The Star fan, reimagined in Rabin Square as an environmental sculpture, enters the lineage of Pop Art, referencing the public engagement and elevation of everyday objects seen in Claes Oldenburg’s work. The fan embodies humor, nostalgia, civic memory, and cultural critique — transforming a household object into a shared artistic and social experience.
Photo: Eric Sultan