Emily Jacir Explained

Emily Jacir
Birth Place:Bethlehem
Education:University of Dallas, Memphis College of Art

Emily Jacir (Arabic: أملي جاسر; born 1970) is a Palestinian artist and filmmaker.

Biography

Emily Jacir is a multidisciplinary artist who is primarily concerned with transformation, translation, resistance, and silenced historical narratives. Jacir spent her childhood in Saudi Arabia, attending high school in Italy. She attended the University of Dallas, Memphis College of Art and graduated with an art degree. She divides her time between New York and Ramallah.[1] [2]

Work and career

Jacir works in a variety of media including film, photography, installation, performance, video, writing and sound. She draws on the artistic medium of concept art and social intervention as a framework for her pieces, in which she focuses on themes of displacement, exile, and resistance, primarily within the context of Palestinian occupation.[3]

She has exhibited extensively throughout the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East since 1994, holding solo exhibitions in locations including New York City, Los Angeles, Ramallah, Beirut,[4] London and Linz.

Active in the building of Ramallah's art scene since 1999, Jacir has also worked with various organizations including the A. M. Qattan Foundation, Al Ma'mal Foundation for Contemporary Art and the Sakakini Cultural Center. She has been involved in creating numerous projects and events such as Birzeit's Virtual Art Gallery. She also founded and curated the first International Video Festival in Ramallah in 2002.[5] She curated a selection of shorts, Palestinian Revolution Cinema (1968 – 1982), which went on tour in 2007.[6] Between 2000 - 2002 she curated several Arab Film programs in NYC with Alwan for the Arts including the first Palestinian Film Festival in 2002. She has worked as a full-time professor at the vanguard International Academy of Art Palestine since it opened its doors in 2006 and she also served on its Academic Board from 2006 through 2012. Jacir led the first year of the Ashkal Alwan Home Workspace Program in Beirut (2011-2012) and created the curriculum and programming after serving on the founding year of the Curricular Committee from 2010 to 2011. Jacir is the founder and founding director of Dar Yusuf Nasri Jacir for Art and Research in her family home in Bethlehem, which serves as both a community centre and a contemporary art space.[7] [8]

In February 2023, Jacir collaborated with artist Baha Hilo, a native Palestinian and Sociology graduate of Birzeit University, to create his project ‘Preserve’ which focuses on the preservation and repair of the olive terraces at Dar Jacir, an arts and education center in Bethlehem. The project was supported by the Center for Human Rights and the Arts. [9] [10]

Recent juries

Awards

Major works

Memorial to 418 Palestinian Villages Destroyed, Depopulated, and Occupied by Israel in 1948 (2001)

Developed during her residency at P.S.1's National Studio Program, Jacir opened her studio to Palestinians, Israelis, Americans, Egyptians, Syrians, Yemenis, Spaniards and others to embroider a refugee tent with the names of Palestinian villages impacted by Israeli expansion.[26]

"Memorial to 418 Palestinian Villages is mobile and vulnerable—resisting any false appeals to closure. It is not a didactic monument, but a sensitive, painful testament to a desperate tragedy that needs to be addressed and aches to be mourned."[27]

Where We Come From (2001-2003)

Jacir, holder of an American passport, asked more than 30 Palestinians living both abroad and within the occupied territories: “If I could do anything for you, anywhere in Palestine, what would it be?” She collected responses and carried out tasks in an extended performance of wish-fulfilment by proxy, using her American passport to travel between territories, a privilege most Palestinians do not hold. Some of the tasks included playing football, eating local foods, paying bills, visiting a grave, meeting relatives or loved ones, etc. The details of the series's display were deliberate: within a simple, black frame, parallel text in Arabic and English listed the exact request, described the requestor's current location and situation in regards to movement, their name, and finally, notes on the completion of the task. Adjacent to this frame were the accompanying photographs of the artist carrying out the task, unframed, and printed larger than the text panels.

This curatorial decision is explained through the idea that "viewers face a project that is first of all divided between text panels and photographs. But how to get from one to the other? The visual transition from language to image seems simple enough. A mere shift of the eyes will do... Yet it is just this translation, written out in clear language and then realized photographically, that for many is insurmountable... [it] represents an unbridgeable chasm, an impossibility on which a complex of desire is built."[28]

The documented result was shown in New York[29] to great critical acclaim; "Where We Come From is [Jacir's] best so far. An art of cool Conceptual surfaces and ardent, intimate gestures, intensely political and beyond polemic, it adds up to one of the most moving gallery exhibitions I've encountered this season."[30] [31] Other reactions expressed "that her efforts resonated with the aspects of desire, fear and restricted movement."[32] Where We come From was also positively reviewed by Edward Said.[33]

The work was acquired by San Francisco Museum of Modern Art,[34] which added an extra text to Jacirs work.[35]

Crossing Surda (2003)

"“Crossing Surda” (a record of going to and from work), exists because an Israeli soldier threatened me and put an M-16 into my temple. [Ms. Jacir says she was filming her feet with a video camera at a checkpoint that day.] If I had not had this direct threatening experience this piece would not exist."[36]

Accumulations (2005)

"Ms. Jacir's deft extrapolation of the issues of identity from the specifics of experience, like her renewal and extension of what might be called classic Conceptual Art, is enormously impressive."[37]

Material for a film (2005-ongoing)

"In Material for a Film (2005–ongoing) the displacement is total, as Jacir’s own identity is substituted for that of her subject, Wael Zuaiter, a Palestinian intellectual living in Rome who was assassinated in 1972 by Israeli agents, having been mistakenly identified as one of those responsible for the murder of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. The installation gathers together photographs, books, music, letters, interviews, telegrams, copies of the Italian magazine Rivoluzione Palestinese to which Zuaiter contributed, even a clip from a Pink Panther film in which he had a small part, to flesh out a life no longer there."[34]

"Jacir is a quiet and mercurial art-world figure, less than a decade deep into her career, and her Boss show rejects the obvious opportunity presented for leverage, debutante-style, as a headliner on the New York art stage and in the media that starts here. In fact, the only character in sharp focus for this exhibition is Wael Zuaiter, a Palestinian intellectual killed by Israeli secret service agents following the murder of eleven Israeli athletes and a German police officer by the militant group Black September at the 1972 Munich Olympics."[38]

Howard Halle criticized the pieces in an article in Time Out New York, writing, "That such a crude, self-indulgent exercise has been given one of contemporary art’s most prestigious awards is unfortunate, though not, sadly, entirely unexpected."[39] Another critique by Ken Johnson of The New York Times said that, "If the ultimate point is to arouse humane concern for Palestinians in general, Ms. Jacir's work falls short."[40]

Retracing bus no. 23 on the historic Jerusalem-Hebron Road (2006)

stazione (2009)

In 2009, Jacir participated in the Venice Biennale in the Palestinian Pavilion. She created a site-specific public project to take place in Venice during the Biennale. The Venice City Authorities shut down Jacir's project and refused to allow it to take place.

"Significant by its absence at the Venice Biennale was Emily Jacir's contribution to the official off-site exhibition, 'Palestine c/o Venice'. Jacir's artwork, Stazione, would have seen all of the piers for the Route 1 water bus (the vaporetto that runs up and down the Grand Canal) display the stop location names in Arabic as well as the usual Italian. Mockups were made, the Biennale approved, the council approved and the vaporetto company that runs Route 1 approved. Then suddenly it didn't. Apparently the vaporetto company stopped the project, and all the artist could find out, second-hand, was that they had 'received pressure from an outside source to shut it down for political reasons'."[45]

"Emily Jacir’s stazione (2008 - 2009) is an unrealised intervention on the number 1 vaporetto (water bus) line, a main transport route along the Grand Canal beginning at Lido winding its way to Piazzale Roma, ferrying audiences from one Biennale exhibition to another, by inserting Arabic text supplementing the existing Italian names at vaporetti stops and thus making the route bilingual. In the artist’s explanation, the work references the numerous Arab influences and exchanges in the history of Venice, its architecture, manufacturing, shipping, and of course in the process of these activities, language - that Arabic words too have filtered into the Venetian dialect - ‘divan’, ‘damasco’, ‘gabella’, amongst others."[46]

Museums

Museums where her work has been shown:

The main gallery in the US that shows her work is Alexander and Bonin in NYC (212.367.7474)

Biennales

International biennales which have featured her work:

Articles (partial list)

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Emily Jacir . Artspace . 24 December 2019 . en.
  2. Web site: Emily Jacir . live . https://archive.today/20230719232150/https://www.guggenheim.org/map/emily-jacir . 19 July 2023 . 19 July 2023 . Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
  3. Book: Luckett . Helen . Great Women Artists . . 2019 . 978-0714878775 . Morrill . Rebecca . 200 . en . Emily Jacir . 1099690505 . Wright . Karen . Elderton . Louisa.
  4. Web site: affiliations:Emily Jacir . January 2010 . Beirut Art Center . 18 February 2012 . 24 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111024213946/http://beirutartcenter.org/exhibitions.php?exhibid=86&statusid=3 . dead .
  5. Web site: About. https://archive.today/20130127050622/http://pivf.johnmenick.com/about.php. dead. 27 January 2013. 2002 Palestine International Video Festival . 29 August 2007.
  6. Web site: Murphy . Maureen Clare . 16 February 2007 . Palestinian Revolution Cinema Comes to NYC . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522024648/https://electronicintifada.net/content/palestinian-revolution-cinema-comes-nyc/6759 . 22 May 2023 . 19 July 2023 . The Electronic Intifada.
  7. Web site: About Us . Dar Jacir . 2023-12-02 . en.
  8. Web site: Henri . Neuendorf . Palestinian Artist Emily Jacir Plans to Transform Her Family Home Into a West Bank Art Center . ArtNet . 23 May 2017 . 9 December 2023 .
  9. Web site: 2022-10-12 . "Common Ground" Festival Opens . 2024-04-30 . Center for Human Rights and the Arts . en-US.
  10. Web site: Open Society University Network . Baha Hilo: The Olives of Palestine . 2024-04-30 . en.
  11. Web site: 2012 . 2012 Grant - Recipient of Cda-Projects Grant for Artistic Research and Production 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130215131200/http://cda-projectsgrant.org/2012-grant/ . 15 February 2013 . 5 March 2013 . CDA Projects Grants.
  12. Web site: 2012 . Press Photos 2012 - Juries . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190820105410/http://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/2012/07_fotos_2012/07_foto_kategorie_2012_16893.html . 20 August 2019 . Berlinale.
  13. Web site: 20 May 2013 . Fond. Cinema Roma - Emily Jacir - Jury CinemaXXI . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130520122232/http://www.romacinemafest.it/ecm/web/fcr/en/home/international-rome-film-festival/juries-and-awards/emily-jacir . 20 May 2013 . International Rome Film Festival . en.
  14. Web site: 4 August 2021 . Emily Jacir - Pietrapertosa . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230207081856/https://www.artribune.com/mostre-evento-arte/emily-jacir-pietrapertosa/ . 7 February 2023 . 19 July 2023 . Artribune . it-IT.
  15. Web site: Farhat . Maymanah . 15 December 2008 . Palestinian artist Emily Jacir awarded top prize . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220814235758/https://electronicintifada.net/content/palestinian-artist-emily-jacir-awarded-top-prize/7859 . 14 August 2022 . 19 July 2023 . . en.
  16. Web site: La Biennale di Venezia Golden Lions in 2007. 2009-03-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20161108052515/http://www.labiennale.org/en/biennale/news/en/78606.html. 2016-11-08. dead.
  17. Web site: 20 October 2007 . Leone d'oro ~ Golden Lion . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180817225536/http://majnouna.blogspot.com/2007/10/leone-doro-golden-lion.html . 17 August 2018 . Amoula il Majnoona.
  18. Web site: 2007 Prince Claus Award, Emily Jacir, Palestine . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220518005043/https://princeclausfund.org/laureate/emily-jacir . 18 May 2022 . 21 March 2019 . Prince Claus Fund.
  19. Web site: 14 November 2008 . Emily Jacir Wins 2008 Hugo Boss Prize . live . https://archive.today/20230720013854/https://www.guggenheim.org/news/emily-jacir-hugo-boss . 20 July 2023 . 19 July 2023 . . en-US.
  20. Web site: 14 November 2008 . Emily Jacir Named Winner of Seventh Biennial Hugo Boss Prize . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110429031717/http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/press-room/releases/press-release-archive/2008/2460-emily-jacir-named-winner-of-seventh-biennial-hugo-boss-prize . 29 April 2011 . 21 March 2019 . Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
  21. Web site: Emily Jacir 2011 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221210025804/https://herbalpertawards.org/artist/2011/emily-jacir . 10 December 2022 . 19 July 2023 . The Herb Alpert Award in the Arts.
  22. Web site: Emily Jacir – Archives, Movement, and Translation . American Academy in Rome. 19 October 2015 . 5 June 2024 .
  23. Web site: 2018 . Emily Jacir - Biography. Young Artist of the Year Award 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201201115518/https://universes.art/en/specials/qattan-foundation/yaya-2018/emily-jacir . 1 December 2020 . 24 December 2019 . . Universes in Universe . en.
  24. Web site: 2023 Art Award Winners . American Academy of Arts and letters . 1 December 2023 . 9 December 2023 .
  25. Web site: National College of Art and Design awards inaugural Honorary Doctorate to internationally renowned artist Emily Jacir . National College of Art and Design . 1 December 2023 . 9 December 2023 .
  26. Book: Emily Jacir: belongings Works: 1998-2003. O.K Books 0/04. 2004. 3-85256-265-1. Austria. 22–25.
  27. Web site: Gelardin . Chiara . Memories in exile . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080202054358/http://www.columbia.edu/cu/museo/6/jacir/index.html . 2 February 2008 . Columbia University.
  28. Demos . T. J. . 2003 . Desire in Diaspora: Emily Jacir . . 62 . 4 . 69–78 . 10.2307/3558490 . 3558490.
  29. Web site: 2003 . Emily Jacir: Where We Come From . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20120205013938/http://www.debsandco.com/jacir.html . 5 February 2012 . Debs & Co..
  30. News: Cotter . Holland . 9 May 2003 . Art in Review; Emily Jacir . en-US . . live . subscription . 19 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180926052249/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/09/arts/art-in-review-emily-jacir.html . 26 September 2018 . 0362-4331.
  31. Vanderbilt . Tom . Tom Vanderbilt . February 2004 . Openings: Emily Jacir . live . . 42 . 6 . 140–141 . 1086-7058 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204000900/https://www.artforum.com/print/200402/openings-emily-jacir-6201 . 4 February 2023 . 19 July 2023.
  32. Web site: Emily Jacir's Where we come from & The power of her passport . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230207053150/https://publicdelivery.org/emily-jacir-where-we-come-from/ . 7 February 2023 . 20 March 2020 . Public Delivery.
  33. Said . Edward W. . Edward Said . 2003 . Emily Jacir . . 72 . 106 . 10.2307/25008698 . 0734-5496 . 25008698.
  34. News: Wilson Goldie . Kaelen . 9 July 2008 . Her dark materials: The artist Emily Jacir has produced the defining work of her career by reconstructing the life and death of an assassinated poet . . live . 19 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230720024532/https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/art/her-dark-materials-1.231616 . 20 July 2023.
  35. Web site: Green . Tyler . 22 January 2009 . SFMOMA installed unusual wall-text in Emily Jacir gallery . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090126055917/http://www.artsjournal.com/man/2009/01/sfmoma_installs_unusual_wall-t.html . 26 January 2009 . Modern Art Notes . Modern Arts Journal.
  36. News: Wise . Michael Z. . 30 January 2009 . Border Crossings Between Art and Life . en-US . . live . subscription . 19 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180817230022/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/arts/design/01wise.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&sq=jacir&st=cse&scp=4 . 17 August 2018 . 0362-4331.
  37. News: Smith . Roberta . 25 March 2005 . Art in Review; Emily Jacir -- 'Accumulations' . en-US . . live . subscription . 19 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180818021025/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/25/arts/art-in-review-emily-jacir-accumulations.html?fta=y&scp=3&sq=jacir&st=cse . 18 August 2018 . 0362-4331.
  38. Web site: 19 March 2009 . Bones' Beat: Emily Jacir at the Guggenheim . dead . https://archive.today/20120707004835/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2009/03/emily_jacir_is.php . 7 July 2012 . The Village Voice.
  39. News: Halle . Howard . 5 March 2009 . The Hugo Boss Prize 2008: Emily Jacir . . dead . 15 March 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181005072142/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/art/the-hugo-boss-prize-2008-emily-jacir . 5 October 2018.
  40. Web site: Johnson . Ken . 13 February 2009 . Material for a Palestinian's Life and Death . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190611170610/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/arts/design/13jaci.html . 11 June 2019 . 15 March 2009 . The New York Times.
  41. Web site: "Material for a film": Retracing Wael Zuaiter (Part 1). Emily . Jacir. 16 July 2007. 5 June 2024.
  42. Web site: "Material for a film": A performance (Part 2). Emily . Jacir. 16 July 2007. 5 June 2024.
  43. Web site: Darwish . Najwan . January 2008 . Emily Jacir's Material for a Film: Ongoing homage and artistic revenge for Wa'el Zuaiter . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131113185657/http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=2359&ed=149&edid=149 . 13 November 2013 . 16 March 2009 . This Week in Palestine.
  44. Web site: Jacia . Emily . 15 December 2006 . Photostory: Retracing bus no. 23 on the historic Jerusalem-Hebron Road . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230602153032/https://electronicintifada.net/content/photostory-retracing-bus-no-23-historic-jerusalem-hebron-road/6609 . 2 June 2023 . 19 July 2023 . The Electronic Intifada.
  45. Web site: FindArticles.com - CBSi. findarticles.com.
  46. Web site: 20 July 2009 . This World (at the Venice Biennale) . usurped . https://web.archive.org/web/20120227074559/http://www.arterimalaysia.com/2009/07/20/this-world-at-the-venice-biennale/ . 27 February 2012 . Arteri.
  47. Web site: May 2004 . Emily Jacir - Where We Come From . usurped . https://web.archive.org/web/20080516154457/http://www.sakakini.org/visualarts/e-jasser.htm . 16 May 2008 . Visual Art - Samer.

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