Contemporary Art in ISAW's Archaeology and Aesthetics Exhibition

ISAW's current exhibition, Ancient to Modern: Archaeology and Aesthetics, features contemporary artists alongside ancient objects, a first for ISAW. Several pieces from Michael Rakowitz's 2007 project, The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist, are present in the exhibition. Rakowitz, a Chicago-based contemporary artist, was inspired by the famous Early Dynastic statuary from the Iraq Expedition to the Diyala region, in addition to other iconic ancient Mesopotamian objects from the Iraq Museum in Baghdad. The project explores the loss of Iraqi cultural heritage in the aftermath of the the 2003 US-led invasion. The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist is made up of modern reconstructions of Iraqi artifacts considered to be lost or stolen. The objects are made of Middle Eastern commercial packaging and newspapers, expressing in the artist's view "moments of cultural visibility found in cities across the United States." Next to each recreated object lies a museum label with details of the lost object, as well as quotes from Iraqi archaeologists, American military commanders, and others reacting to the looting.

Be sure to see Michael's work on view at ISAW until June 7th!