Inside and Out (October 2019 – December 2019)
Curated by Samuel Pontin, Programme Co-ordinator
Objects: Unframed printed paper mosaics affixed to exterior, Printed paper cylinder.
This installation explores how we conceptualise space in the modern world, and how museum exhibitions are increasingly aiming to not just to appeal to visitors in person, but also on digitally; principally via Instagram. How can we convey, or understand a multifaceted object or space through two-dimensional images?
Cultural significance of place is a concept found in most, if not all world cultures and this display is designed to represent a rough historical interpretation of what a temple, or grotto may have looked like in Ancient Syria/Northern Iraq around 2000 years ago. There is writing in three languages which were all used at the time: Greek, Syriac, and Babylonian Cuneiform. Greek and Syriac are found on the mosaics, while Babylonian Cuneiform is present on the cylinder.
While mosaics would adorn the walls, floors, and sometimes ceilings of buildings; for thousands of years cylinders would be placed in the foundations to describe the building, note the year of its construction, and act as a prayer. This cylinder describes the building of a temple by a King of mixed heritage, with a Greek name, praying to Babylonian gods; one of many examples of how diversity has existed for thousands of years.
About ‘The Case’
‘The Case’ is a new curated micro-museum series that raises questions about which objects are worthy of being collected and exhibited, what system(s) we use to group them together, and which narratives and questions arise when we do so. Exhibitions are set up in an antique vitrine, existing online only and curated by New Museum School trainees with invited guest artists and contributors.