When The Music Stopped
LA, November 2023
- When The Music Stopped was more than just an art installation. It was a raw expression of trauma, resilience, and the fight to confront the darkness within. Created by artist Tomer Peretz with the help of 8 dedicated producers and 1,000 volunteers from Los Angeles, this live art piece aimed to recreate the aftermath of a massacre. For Tomer, it was personal. He needed to face the pain, to make sense of the trauma that had consumed him. This installation wasn’t just a visual—it was a statement, urging us to dig into our pain rather than run from it, to rise above the darkness that tries to swallow us whole.
When The Music Stopped
Miami, December 2023
- After the success of When The Music Stopped in LA, Tomer brought it to Art Basel in Miami, with a bold twist. This time, the installation wasn't just a reflection of trauma—it was a protest. His team infiltrated the convention center, disrupting the show with an act of silent defiance. Their bodies spoke louder than words, and though some were detained by the police, the message was clear. The flash mob succeeded. The art had been seen. The silence had been broken.
Break The Silence
January 2024
- On the crowded streets of Rodeo Drive, one piece of art stopped tourists in their tracks. Break The Silence was a chilling experiment—a bleeding girl lying motionless on the sidewalk. The reaction was intense, raw, and immediate. People didn’t know how to respond, but Tomer wanted to know: How do we react when we face real, unfiltered pain? It was a call to confront the horror we so often ignore.
Resilience Sweatpants
April 2024
- The Resilience Sweatpants were created in collaboration with over 60 survivors from Nova, Beer Sheva, Nachal Oz, Nir Oz, Kfar Aza, the northern regions of Israel, and more. These sweatpants serve as a powerful reminder of the morning of October 7th—when we all awoke to the sound of alarms and the chaos that followed. Many of us were still in our pajamas when we were forced to jump into the fire, facing unimaginable circumstances. The 17-foot sweatpants symbolize our growth, resilience, and strength in the aftermath of that fateful day. They are a testament to our collective power and the way we rose up in the face of darkness
Resilience Shrapnel
April 2024
- Resilience Sharpnel is an art piece created by 14-year-old Avia Moshe Shklar, a young artist from Shuva, a village on the Gaza border. Avia discovered shrapnel from rockets launched from Gaza into Israel and, instead of simply discarding them, he chose to transform them. He painted flowers on the metal fragments—flowers that once grew along the border but are no longer there, destroyed by the fires from the rockets.
- This artwork symbolizes the growth that can emerge from trauma, reflecting both personal and collective resilience. Under the guidance of artist Tomer Peretz, Avia’s piece now forms part of Peretz’s exhibition at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, where it stands as a poignant reminder of the enduring spirit in the face of conflict.
They Took Her
May 2024
- Tomer Peretz, in collaboration with Craig Dershowitz (founder of Artists 4 Israel), created They Took Her as a tribute to Nama Levi, a woman taken hostage during the October 7th attack. The 27-foot tall bloody sweatpants are a powerful symbol of her suffering—and the suffering of all those still held in captivity by Hamas. This piece traveled through Los Angeles and Chicago, raising awareness in places where many were still unaware of the ongoing hostage crisis. Survivors and those deeply affected by the October 7th attack helped bring this vision to life, turning pain into a call for action.
FREE OUR HOSTAGES
August 2024
- The FREE OUR HOSTAGES installation, a towering 40-foot artwork in San Fernando Valley, was a cry for help. Created by Tomer Peretz alongside the FREE OUR HOSTAGES initiative and volunteers who had been directly impacted by the war, the piece symbolized the ongoing hostage crisis in Gaza. It was a plea for Americans to take action, to demand that their government pressure for the hostages' release. The voices of those who had suffered were amplified, demanding justice for those still held captive.
The Hoodies
August 2024
- 80 hoodies, each emblazoned with the phrase “FREE OUR HOSTAGES,” were installed on a high-rise building in Downtown Los Angeles. This installation represented the 8 American hostages still held by Hamas. Each row of 10 hoodies stood as a tribute to each hostage. It was a simple, yet powerful reminder that while we go about our busy lives, there are lives hanging in the balance.
Keith Sweatshirt
August 2024
- A 25-foot sweatshirt, created to raise awareness for Keith, an American hostage still held in Gaza. This massive piece of art, located near the 10 and 110 freeways in Downtown LA, was part of the FREE OUR HOSTAGES initiative. It was a statement—an urgent plea to the public to remember those still trapped in darkness, waiting for the light of freedom.
Coffee Cups
August 2024
- Sometimes the smallest things can spark the biggest change. In 20 coffee shops around Los Angeles, custom-designed coffee cups bore the names of the 8 American hostages. Simple, everyday items—used by thousands each day—became a symbol of hope and resistance. This street-level art brought the crisis into daily life, forcing people to confront the fact that these hostages are real people with real stories, still waiting for their freedom.
The Overpasses
August 2024
- In a guerrilla-style street art campaign, 30 banners were hung on overpasses along some of LA’s busiest freeways. Some were taken down by authorities, others by people who didn’t want to see them, but the message couldn’t be silenced. The banners, showing only the names of the 8 hostages, sparked questions and conversations. It was art designed to make you stop, think, and ask: Who are these people? What happened to them? It was a powerful disruption to the daily routine, demanding awareness for the lives hanging in the balance.
Omer Mural
August 2024
- Located in Downtown Los Angeles, the mural for Omer was created by the same team behind the Itay mural. Omer’s story, like so many others, was not one to be forgotten. This mural was part of a larger effort to ensure that no hostage would be overlooked, no life would be disregarded.
The Bags and Stickers
August 2024
- Tomer and the FREE OUR HOSTAGES initiative took to the streets in a guerrilla art campaign, flooding LA with shopping bags and stickers bearing the names of the 8 hostages. With over 30 volunteers spreading the word, this street art turned everyday objects into symbols of resistance, pushing the message into the everyday lives of the people.
Sagui Billboard
October 2024
- A massive 50-foot billboard on Broadway Blvd, created by Tomer and the FREE OUR HOSTAGES initiative, was dedicated to Sagui, one of the American hostages. The billboard, towering above the city, was a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis and a demand for action. It was a plea to the world not to forget those still waiting for their freedom.
Hersh Mural
October 2024
- A mural in Downtown Los Angeles dedicated to Hersh, an American hostage. It was created by Tomer and survivors who had been affected by the war. This piece also served as a response to the false narratives spread by the media. It stood as a symbol of truth—demanding accurate reporting and justice for those who are suffering.
The Strength Mural
November 2024
- On La Brea Avenue in West Hollywood, a mural created by Tomer and the FREE OUR HOSTAGES initiative stands as a testament to the strength of those still fighting for the release of the 8 American hostages. Painted with the help of volunteers and survivors, it’s a symbol of hope, resistance, and the belief that no matter how dark the situation, strength can be found in unity and action.