In the early years of START, Serge made it a point to visit all graduating shows of Israel’s main art schools –The Bezallel Academy in Jerusalem, The Midrasha at Beit Berl, Avni Institute in Tel-Aviv, and the Shenkar College in Ramat Gan – to select a handful of artists each year for the START incubator project. Michel Platnic was selected in 2010 from the Midrasha undergraduate program. Later, Serge advised Michel to focus on “Lining Paintings” - video works based on old master paintings presented as framed ‘breathing’ works. Serge also funded the production of Michel’s breakthrough project, “After Bacon” and introduced Gordon Gallery as a partner. Together, they published Michel’s first book and presented one of the most memorable, and certainly the most economically successful booths, in the history of the Fresh Paint art fair in 2013. Serge also presented Michel Platnic’s works in Paris at Spheres 2015 in collaboration with Galleria Continua. Michel’s career continues to expand internationally, and his signature style remains Live Paintings with projects reimagining old master works as well as modern masters such as Francis Bacon, Egon Schile and Pablo Picasso, to name a few.
