In an ID-related bit of cultural exchange, a sixty-piece "From Mediterranean Traditional to Israeli Contemporary Design" exhibit is being mounted at Canada's DX (Design Exchange) museum in Toronto.

This is an exhibition of current Israeli industrial design, examining what makes this country unique on the world stage. The exciting, dramatic, and colourful pieces on display include furniture, lighting, and recreation equipment.

"Israeli design is the world's best-kept secret," wrote Professor Mel Bayers in his book Improvisation. Israeli culture combines many diverse influences, which offer an often difficult, yet fruitful ground for creativity, resulting in wide ranging and high quality designs. The Israeli culture and history stimulate innovation in design while preserving traditions that embody the society. These traditions include a vivid sense of humour, a rejection of bourgeois ideas of beauty, and a cunning use of new and used materials.

Two lucky attendees will get to take in a lot more Israeli design than is in the exhibit, which begins March 6th: A special promotional running in conjunction with the exhibition will randomly give away a trip for two to Israel.