Michael Rakowitz
“The invisible enemy should not exist (Northwest Palace of Kalhu, Room F, Southeast Entrance; Room S, Southwest Entrance)”
Barakat Contemporary, Seoul
June 2023
Image: Michael Rakowitz, “The invisible enemy should not exist (Northwest Palace of Kalhu, Room F, Southeast Entrance; Room S, Southwest Entrance)” at Barakat Contemporary, Seoul, May 10–July 30, 2023.
Barakat Contemporary is now showing Iraqi-American artist Michael Rakowitzthe’s first solo show in Korea. Titled "The invisible enemy should not exist”, the show explores post-2003 Iraq and the impact of multiple wars waged in the country. The works reflect the artist’s family’s own exile from country due to their Iraqi-Jewish background and also the lost cultural relics that disappeared following the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and the subsequent rise of ISIS in the region.
The ground floor of the gallery comprises the central “The invisible enemy should not exist” pieces and is, in part, a recreation of ancient artworks looted from the National Museum of Iraq – four re-coloured tapestries of reclaimed materials including newspapers and food packaging. The setting is based on the Northwest Palace of Kalhu, which was destroyed by ISIS in 2015.
There are also two video installations by the artist. On the ground floor of the gallery you will find “The Ballad of Special Ops Cody” (2017), a touching stop-motion film featuring an American GI mingling with ancient Mesopotamian sculptures. The top floor of the gallery is dedicated to the importance of dates in Iraqi history, and the work “RETURN” (2004–ongoing) highlights the social, political and cultural impact of the dried fruit, including its local impact for those living in the US who wish to reconnect with their culture. The historical timeline of fruit’s history – at some points as valuable as crude oil to the country – is fascinating and enlightening, but also a damning indictment of the damage done to the country over recent years.
Michael Rakowitz’s “The invisible enemy should not exist” in on at Barakat Contemporary, Seoul, until July 30, 2023.
Michael Rakowitz
“The invisible enemy should not exist (Northwest Palace of Kalhu, Room F, Southeast Entrance; Room S, Southwest Entrance)”
Barakat Contemporary, Seoul
June 2023
Image: Michael Rakowitz, “The invisible enemy should not exist (Northwest Palace of Kalhu, Room F, Southeast Entrance; Room S, Southwest Entrance)” at Barakat Contemporary, Seoul, May 10–July 30, 2023.
Barakat Contemporary is now showing Iraqi-American artist Michael Rakowitzthe’s first solo show in Korea. Titled "The invisible enemy should not exist”, the show explores post-2003 Iraq and the impact of multiple wars waged in the country. The works reflect the artist’s family’s own exile from country due to their Iraqi-Jewish background and also the lost cultural relics that disappeared following the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and the subsequent rise of ISIS in the region.
The ground floor of the gallery comprises the central “The invisible enemy should not exist” pieces and is, in part, a recreation of ancient artworks looted from the National Museum of Iraq – four re-coloured tapestries of reclaimed materials including newspapers and food packaging. The setting is based on the Northwest Palace of Kalhu, which was destroyed by ISIS in 2015.
There are also two video installations by the artist. On the ground floor of the gallery you will find “The Ballad of Special Ops Cody” (2017), a touching stop-motion film featuring an American GI mingling with ancient Mesopotamian sculptures. The top floor of the gallery is dedicated to the importance of dates in Iraqi history, and the work “RETURN” (2004–ongoing) highlights the social, political and cultural impact of the dried fruit, including its local impact for those living in the US who wish to reconnect with their culture. The historical timeline of fruit’s history – at some points as valuable as crude oil to the country – is fascinating and enlightening, but also a damning indictment of the damage done to the country over recent years.
Michael Rakowitz’s “The invisible enemy should not exist” in on at Barakat Contemporary, Seoul, until July 30, 2023.