Yael Bartana Screens Polish Trilogy in Chicago Ahead of Venice Biennale Representation
From March 4 to April 14, 2011, the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago showcased seven pieces by Yael Bartana, featuring two films from her Polish trilogy, which was part of the Polish Pavilion at the 54th Venice Biennale. Notably, she became the first artist of non-Polish descent to represent Poland with the exhibition 'and Europe will be stunned,' co-curated by Galit Eilat and Sebastian Cichocki. The trilogy comprises 'Mary Koszmary/Nightmares' (2007), 'Mur I Wieza/Wall and Tower' (2009), and 'Zamach/Assassination' (2011), promoting the idea of Jewish repatriation to Poland. Bartana's films delve into Israeli culture and political issues, merging documentary with scripted elements while critiquing nationalism and addressing wider European themes through aesthetic journalism.
Key facts
- Yael Bartana screened seven works at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago from March 4 to April 14, 2011.
- Bartana will represent Poland at the 54th Venice Biennale, the first non-Polish artist to do so.
- Her project 'and Europe will be stunned' is co-curated by Sebastian Cichocki and Galit Eilat.
- The Polish trilogy includes 'Mary Koszmary/Nightmares' (2007), 'Mur I Wieza/Wall and Tower' (2009), and 'Zamach/Assassination' (2011).
- 'Summer Camp' (2007) was shown at the Spertus Museum in Chicago in 2008, leading to controversy and closure after three weeks.
- Bartana's work uses aesthetic journalism, blending fact and fiction to explore political issues.
- Her films reference Helmar Lerski's 'Awodah' (1935) and share affinities with Artur Żmijewski's work.
- The Polish trilogy calls for Jews to return to Poland to rebuild a multicultural society.
Entities
Artists
- Yael Bartana
- Sebastian Cichocki
- Galit Eilat
- Alfredo Cramerotti
- Helmar Lerski
- Artur Żmijewski
- Sławomir Sierakowski
- Peter Weir
- Krzysztof Wodiczko
Institutions
- Gene Siskel Film Center
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- 54th Biennale of Art in Venice
- Polish Pavilion
- Israeli Committee against House Demolitions (ICAHD)
- Spertus Museum
- Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
- PS1
- Intellect Books
Locations
- Chicago
- United States
- Venice
- Italy
- Poland
- Warsaw
- Krasinski Square
- Mediterranean Sea
- Israel
- Palestine
- New York
- Bristol
- United Kingdom