Michal Baror – Looters Opening:Thursday, November 15, 2017 at 8 pm
Photography and Archeology as Looting: Wednesday, November 15, 7 pm Artist Talk: Michal Baror with Yair Barak: Wednesday December 16, 7 pm When does an action become theft? And who has the right to steal? Is it possible to steal culture? Identity? Can it ever be something positive?
After researching the special unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority charged with the prevention of antiquities theft, Michal Baror raises muddled questions associated with the robbing of antiquities in Israel/Palestine. In a fascinating new body of work, she assembles appropriated photographic evidence with looted artifacts to create a unique installation that brings forward the complexities of class, race, and occupation in Israel/Palestine, alongside questions about origin and imitation, ownership and history.
The plunder of archaeological sites — as well as museums, libraries, churches and mosques, and even entire cities — has been a noteworthy theme throughout art history. Baror updates this classic motif with a self-reflexive approach: she widens her gaze from archaeological plunder to include the medium of photography, exploring the snapping of a picture as a form of pillage in and of itself.
The exhibition “Michal Baror: Looters” and “The Book of Plunder” were made possible with the support of Artis, Artport, founded by the Ted Arison Family Foundation, Israel Antiquities Authority, The Israeli Lottery Arts Council, Tel Aviv Municipality – Culture and Arts Division and The Yehoshua Rabinovich Foundation for the Arts, Tel Aviv.
Images: Yuval Hai
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