Exhibition
May 2-June 20, 2008
Imaginary Coordinates
Imaginary Coordinates is 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 include: Ayreen Anastas, Yael Bartana, Mona Hatoum, Noel Jabbour, Sigalit Landau, Enas Muthaffar, Michal Rovner and Shirley Shor.
Imaginary Coordinates is 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.
Visiting the Exhibition
Imaginary Coordinates can be viewed on guided tours, beginning every hour on the hour during Spertus Museum hours.
Spertus Museum Hours
Sunday-Wednesday 10 am-6 pm
Thursday 10 am-7 pm
Friday 10 am-3 pm
Spertus Museum Admission
General admission– $7
Students and seniors–$5
Children under 5–Free
Spertus members–Free
Free for everyone
Tuesdays from 10 am-12 noon
and Thursdays from 3-7 pm
Exhibition-Related Dialogue
In conjunction with Imaginary Coordinates, Spertus Museum seeks to foster civic dialogue and encourage visitor participation in our exhibitions. Following your visit to the museum, please click here to give us your feedback on the exhibition, share your reflections, and help us shape future programming.
Imaginary Coordinates is 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.
Exhibition catalogue available from the Spertus Shop,
on-site and on-line, beginning May 1, $29.95.