Midburn 2016, ISRAEL
Design, Planning, and Construction of an Art Installation
Collaboration: Daniel Nachmias, Eitan Perry, Ori Hacohen

No One’s Ark is a monumental art installation born from a dream Alon Halamit had in 2015. In it, the biblical Ark did not float on floodwaters, but rather sailed through the desert—transforming into a vessel of spiritual passage, carrying within it a shared hope for renewal. This dream marked the beginning of a journey that evolved from a personal vision into a collective act of creation.
Measuring 30 meters in length and two stories high, the ark was constructed from 35 cubic meters of wood and integrated light, sound, and spirit as immersive elements of experience. The challenge in designing the piece lay in crafting an intimate, individual narrative within the vast collective myth of the flood. The chosen approach invited each visitor to encounter themselves as their own pair—two halves in dialogue—while the flood manifested as an inner tempest.
Constructed using a system of frames with varied cross-sections reminiscent of maritime architecture, the ark’s form was both functional and poetic. The belly of the vessel, a cavernous, darkened interior, was home to a soundscape composed specifically for the piece by Gavriel Mandel—a meditative storm of sound designed to stir the soul. Visitors would then ascend to the upper deck, where light awaited—symbolizing emergence, clarity, and transformation.
The ark was designed over six months, with its framework built in central Israel. Numerous experiments were conducted to master the art of wood bending in multiple planes, enabling the structure’s elegant curvature. The project’s realization drew together a team of engineers, designers, carpenters, and social workers, all contributing their expertise to a process that combined architectural precision with the raw spirit of craft. Exceptional teamwork, enduring friendship, and the joy of collective creation became the lifeblood of the project.
The name, No One’s Ark, speaks to the heart of its meaning: an ark belonging to no one, but a journey shared by all. It touched thousands of participants at Midburn 2016 and received widespread recognition both in Israel and abroad, becoming a landmark in the field of large-scale art installations.
At the culmination of the event, the ark was deliberately set aflame in a ceremonial burn. In doing so, the cycle was complete—spirit made material, and material returned to spirit.
No One’s Ark. Everyone’s Journey.