Jan Mot is presenting Maps of the Middle East (1942 - 1969), a solo exhibition by Sven Augustijnen first exhibited at the Kunsthal Aarhus (DK) in 2020 and now to be shown from 8 till 18 September at Lempertz’ exhibition space, a few steps away from the gallery, from 8 till 18 September.
The work from which the show draws its title is composed of photographs of maps published in the American weekly magazine Time between 1942 and 1969. The majority of the maps are geopolitical or war maps, while others are re- ligious or archaeological. Sven Augustijnen’s photographs of the maps show how political power and focus have changed through the 20th century and the way in which new nations were born and acquired independence.
With a profound interest in historiography, Augustijnen refers to visualization of historical writing as a method to remember and see how history has unfolded and still unfolds. The lines and borders in the Time magazine maps are visible to this day, in our political systems and, generally, in our perception of the world ― how the term “Middle East” as well as earlier designations such as “The Orient” or “Near East” position Europe as the world’s center.
In the exhibition Maps of the Middle East (1942 - 1969) it becomes clear how objectively we think we can measure the world. The map is not just a practical tool that shows us national borders, mountain formations and the world’s oceans. Equally, the map is a visual symbol of the discourses and the power relations that dictate the measurement of the world. In this exhibition, Sven Augustijnen tries to uncover these relations.
Special opening hours during Brussels Gallery Weekend:
Thursday 08/09 from 11 am till 9 pm
Friday 09/09 and Saturday 10/09 from 11 am till 7 pm
Sunday 11/09 from 11 am till 6 pm
Special opening hours after Brussels Gallery Weekend:
Wednesday 14/09 till Sunday 18/09 from 12 till 6:30 pm
(images: Sven Augustijnen, Maps of the Middle East (1942 - 1969), installation view at Kunsthal Aarhus (DK), 2020. Photo: Mikkel Kaldal.)