On the outskirts of Jerusalem, in Rabinovitch Garden in the Kiryat Yovel neighborhood, a man is living these winter days with his dog inside the hollow space beneath the Monster sculpture. Around them are supermarket bags holding personal belongings, blankets, and a mattress. The man lies there with the dog beside him, pressed against the wall, sheltering from the rain and wind as winter passes through a public space abandoned in the cold hours.
What Is the Monster in Rabinovitch Garden, and What Does It Say About Homelessness in Jerusalem?
The Monster in Rabinovitch Garden is a large playground sculpture created by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle in the 1970s, as part of an approach to accessible public art for children. Its hollow structure, designed for crawling and play, has over the years also become a place of shelter. In Jerusalem, as in many cities around the world, homeless individuals use public gardens and urban margins as places of rest and protection, especially during winter.
