Page 40 - WOA9-eMag
P. 40

with Iraq that led to more than a decade of sanctions
                                                              and the 2003 Iraq War. These wars and their aftermaths
                                                              have had devastating impacts on Iraq  and its people,
         THEATER OF OPERATIONS:                               contributing to the destabilization of the broader Middle

         THE GULF WARS 1991–2011                              East. Conflict with Iraq has also become an enduring part
                                                              of American life, influencing culture, politics, and identity.
         The Museum of Modern Art | PS1
                                                              The artists in Theater of Operations were also impacted by
                                                              significant cultural change during this period—including
         MoMA PS1 presents a large-scale group exhibition     the advent of the 24-hour news cycle, the Internet, and
         examining the legacies of American-led military      new media and military technologies. The wide range of
         engagement in Iraq beginning with the Gulf War in 1991.   perspectives included in this exhibition also attests to the
         Through more than 250 works, Theater of Operations: The   rich artistic traditions of contemporary Iraq, with artists
         Gulf Wars 1991-2011 explores the effects of these wars   working under conditions of war, embargo, and occupation
         on artists based in Iraq and its diasporas, as well as those   placed in conversation with those responding to these
         responding to the war from the West. Featuring the work   wars from afar.
         of over 80 artists and collectives, Theater of Operations
         will be on view across the entire MoMA PS1 building from   Theater of Operations: The Gulf Wars 1991–2011 is
         November 3, 2019 through March 1, 2020.              organized by Peter Eleey, Chief Curator, and Ruba
         American-led military engagement in Iraq over the last 30   Katrib, Curator, MoMA PS1. Major support for Theater of
         years has had an indelible impact on contemporary culture   Operations: The Gulf Wars 1991–2011 is provided by The
         and the work of artists around the world. While brief, the   Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
         1991 Gulf War marked the start of a prolonged conflict




                                                              Himat M. Ali. Al Mutanabbi Street Baghdad. 2007. Mixed media on paper; 12
                                                              bound books in wooden slipcase, Each: 13 3/8 × 9 13/16″ (34 × 25 cm).
                                                              Courtesy the artist and Azzawi Collection, London. Photo: Anthony Dawton









































         40      WORLD of ART
   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45