(5.23.2020) Daria Becher

Interview by Ada Steinberg

Photograph of Daria by Shani Avni

From alternative dancing, to wood and metal sculpting. Daria Becher is not intimidated by trying new forms of art. Born in Ein Hod, Israel, now living in a Kibbutz in the South of Israel. Daria shares with us her passions, family creative history, and the difficulties she has faced recently with expressing herself creatively.

What’s your full name? What’s your age? Where have you lived? Where do you currently live?

My name is Daria Zohar Becher and I am 19 years old. I’ve grown up in such open and accepting places. I was born in Israel, in a small artist village, called Ein Hod. Then, when I was 12 my family and I moved to the South of France. Eventually we came back to Israel when I was 15. I currently live in a small ecological kibbutz in the south of Israel. Living here now, people don’t really have empathy. Even when I'm struggling, I feel thirsty for life, and what's waiting for me because I'm so young. 

Would you describe yourself as a creative individual? Why? 

This question is hard because I am struggling with my self identification. So yes and no. Why? Because when you don't create in a constant manner it is hard to give yourself credit for being creative. When you're so young you have only a few experiences when compared to artists that have been creating for years. You don't know what to call yourself.

What are some of your creative outlets? 

I've grown up in an open minded village that helped me develop in a creative way. My family does theatre. My older brother produces and edits videos. So I've always been around artists of some sort. It was obvious I would move in an artistic path because of where I come from. I was a dancer for 15 years. I've also been drawing, painting, and playing cello for 6 years. It's really hard for me because of the pressure I feel to study art. I don't want to let anyone down by moving on to a new art form. I have been producing music, DJing, for half a year now. At times it is hard to find motivation or to keep practicing. But you have to put so much effort in to get better. I just don't know if it's worth it because I'm into so many arts. I don't know what the right thing is for me. Or where to put my time and effort. Photography also, I have a full album of film photos from my time here in the kibbutz that I’m going to develop. 

Can you share more on your creative surroundings? 

Sure, my parents have been creating for about 4o years, together but also individually. My dad used to design hats and modeled for a few companies. He also does a lot of theatre, producing theatrical shows and plays. In physical theatre they express themselves without words. My mom does theatre work as well. They used to have a theatre school together. My mom also studied dance and paints a lot. 

Has quarantine impacted your creative flow?

Of course. There are things that are good and bad about it. The good is obviously time, so it's kind of your only choice. To create. You have to keep doing something. The bad is also time, so much time to think and be with your thoughts and fears. Time to ask yourself... What am I doing? How am I spending my time? Is it worth it? 

You mentioned prior to this interview that you are experiencing some sort of block in your creative flow, that you’re stuck and feel lost. Can you elaborate on this? How long have you felt this way?

I  started to feel emptiness within myself. It started around the end of February. I've been searching to understand what this emptiness is and how I can feel whole again. Art does that for me. It's for my own pleasure. But for now this feeling of emptiness is still not gone. 

I'm living alone, I do everything by myself. I've been to five different schools in my life and never fully felt myself at one. Even at the art schools, I had to choose a singular kind of art. I had so much pressure in finals and I was never into it. In 11th grade, I actually did pass my finals by the end although I almost dropped out of school. Israeli education has been the same for 70 years. The structure makes it hard to find creativity in the major classes. Even general conversations were completely structured.

Have you ever experienced this inability to create before? If you have, what did you do then?

I've never felt it this strong, because I've never been under this much pressure to find what I want to focus on. Now it’s just up to me to create and explore within that. 

What’s it like being a creative individual obligated to serve in the Israeli army? 

It’s definitely an experience. But 50% of young Israelis are not going to the army. You really basically have two options to not go. One option which was what I did, was go to psychiatry appointments, and state why you don’t want to go to the army. I had to open up about my past and my traumas, so that they could see that I wasn’t ‘mentally fit’ to be in the army. Instead of going to the army, I am doing national service. For volunteering you could do it for a community, or helping out at a school or hospital. I got accepted to do the volunteering opportunity at the kibbutz I am in now. I take care of the date fields 8 hours a day for 6 days a week. The people here are not open, I feel I can't be my creative self here. 

The second option for not going to the army is by going to the army court and stating you don't want to go to the army. If you choose not to go, you have to serve time in the army jail. Not everyone is able to get out of the army. Some people who have been through so many hardships and don't get the statement excusing them from the army. They get really difficult psychiatrists, who think these people are lying about their past traumas. My friend went to jail for three weeks due to this. 

What is your favorite way to express yourself creatively? Why? How does it make you feel?

This is a very hard question because I have so many interests… I can't pick one favorite. I currently love to DJ and make music, dancehall specifically. My favorite thing about playing and listening to music is the dancing. I like to incorporate both, music and dance go hand in hand for me. It's been this way my whole life. 

Who do you feel supports you most in your creations , ideas, and creative processes?

My parents. They pushed me my whole life to take as many classes as I wanted. We didn't necessarily have the money for all my interests but we found ways.

Do you have any role models? Who? Why do you look up to them? 

Currently, the guy I've been working in a workshop with, Nobuya Yamaguchi. I’m helping him with his current project, where we’re making a 5 meter fig tree out of metal. I'm learning so many new techniques such as fusing, working with metal, specifically copper and also wood. 

Thank you for speaking with us and telling your story! If you were speaking to the whole world right now, what would you say?

To all the people, keep creating. Keep doing you, you're worth it. Support yourself first and foremost and have a great life.