Exhibition
May 2—June 20, 2008
Imaginary Coordinates
Imaginary Coordinates was inspired by antique maps of the Holy Land in Spertus’ collection. The exhibition juxtaposes these maps with modern and contemporary maps of this region, all of which assert boundaries. It brings these together with objects of material culture and artworks that question national borders, as a way of charting new spaces, fostering conversation, and imagining new communities.
Participating artists included: Ayreen Anastas, Yael Bartana, Mona Hatoum, Noel Jabbour, Sigalit Landau, Enas Muthaffar, Michal Rovner and Shirley Shor.
Imaginary Coordinates was Spertus Museum’s contribution to Chicago’s citywide Festival of Maps. In the year that marks Israel’s 60th anniversary, this exhibition offers a space in which to reflect, debate, and engage in civic dialogue. Curated by Spertus Museum Director Rhoda Rosen.
Images left to right: Shirley Shor, Landslide, 2004, sandbox, custom software, projector, The Jewish Museum, New York, Promised gift of Jane and Ishaia Gol Courtesy of Moti Hasson Gallery, New York | Sigalit Landau, Barbed Hula, detail, 2000, still from a single-channel video, Courtesy of Alon Segev Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel | Michal Rovner, Decoy #29 B, detail, 1991, photograph, Pace Wildenstein Gallery, New York, NY, Photo credit: Michal Rovner | Yael Bartana, Summer Camp, detail, 2007, still from video and sound installation, Yael Bartana and Annet Gelink Gallery, Amsterdam. | Background map detail from copper plate engraving by Pierre Mortier, Amsterdam, 1700.
Imaginary Coordinates was made possible in part by a generous grant from The Chicago Community Trust and The Albert Pick, Jr. Fund.
Spertus Museum is partially supported by a CityArts Program 4 Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, The Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, The Orbit Fund, and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.