Auction 177 Part 2 Optimistic Friendship: The Dudu Geva Collection from the Estate of Michel Optowsky

Optimistic Friendship: The Dudu Geva Collection from the Estate of Michel Optowsky

The Connection: "Hadashot" Newspaper, 1984

The story of this collection begins during the turbulent, groundbreaking days of the "Hadashot" newspaper. It was there that two extraordinary creative forces met: Dudu Geva, who introduced a new visual language of comics and satire to Israeli media, and Michel Optowsky—a brilliant and original master designer, member of the legendary "Third Eye" avant-garde group, who served as the arts and culture editor for the young and audacious newspaper. The connection was instantaneous. A shared love for humor, originality, and the bohemian spirit of the time turned Geva and Optowsky into soulmates. Geva was immediately integrated into the revolutionary "Clip" and "Karua" sections edited by Optowsky.

From Paris to the Studio: A Shared Creative Journey

Even when Geva moved to Paris in 1985, the two maintained a close bond. Optowsky, who grew up in France, helped Geva navigate the local press, translated his work, and visited him frequently in Paris. Upon Geva’s return to Israel, Optowsky’s studio became his second home. Alongside their close friend and print producer, Albert Neaman, they formed a unique creative triangle. "We were a triangle where each of us admired the others, " Neaman recalls. "I admired Michel, Michel admired Dudu, so it was only natural that we shared materials and works with one another. Michel, it turns out, kept everything related to Dudu."

Between fierce backgammon tournaments—where the winner was awarded a rotating "Plasticine Duck Trophy"—some of Geva’s most iconic works were born in that studio. Optowsky designed many of Geva’s publications and was a confidant for every sketch and idea. It was on the office corkboard that the legendary "I am Optimistic" poster was conceived, and it was there that Geva would leave daily spontaneous doodles that have since become a part of Israeli cultural history.

The Collection: A Legacy of Mutual Admiration

Beyond their friendship, Optowsky was a devoted admirer of Geva’s genius. In cardboard folders, he meticulously archived every newspaper clipping, personal letters sent by Geva from Paris, and every original work or sketch he received. The very first piece of art hung in the home of Michel and his wife, Ruthie, was a work by Geva—the same piece featured in this auction.

Poet Roni Someck, who worked with both at "Hadashot, " previously noted: "Their meetings were almost a daily fixture... they formed the basis for both their collaborative and private work. Dudu saw Michel as a kind of guru. In 'Karua, ' Michel tried to push Dudu to the next level—from a caricaturist to a painter. Both of them shared a profound respect for the underdog."

A Final Chapter: Dedicated to Two Friends

Following Michel’s passing, his widow, Ruthie Vital-Gilad, has carefully preserved his rich estate, including materials from the film "Schultz, " "Pahhad" issues, and the treasures left behind by his close friend, Dudu Geva. This auction is dedicated to these two creators whose lives and works were inextricably linked. Michel Optowsky passed away unexpectedly in December 2004, at the age of 57. Dudu Geva passed away just two months later, in February 2005, at the age of 54. This collection is a living testament to a true friendship, uncompromising creativity, and the enduring optimism they left behind.