At The Spertus | Ineluctable Immigrant

The Spertus Institute presents a new, commissioned, site-specific installation by artist Ellen Rothenberg.

Rothenberg prompts visitors to consider connections between past and contemporary issues of migration. The project is inspired by objects and documents Rothenberg uncovered in the Spertus collection - as well as research she pursued in Berlin at Germany's largest refugee camp, housed in the monumental Tempelhof Airport, a disused site that was designed and built by the Nazis.

Shipping containers at Tempelhof Refugee Camp/Ellen Rothenberg

Tempelhof's building is a legally protected historic monument with strict regulations that dictate the physical forms of the interior camp spaces. No alterations can be made that will permanently affect the building, leaving the entire camp to exist in a state that Rothenberg describes as "permanently ephemeral." Rothenberg critically approaches the temporality of this site in reference to global issues of migration.

This exhibition is organized by Ionit Behar, Spertus's Curator of Collections and Exhibitions.

Opening Reception
February 1 | 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Meet the artist and learn about the conception and creation of this work. Free but reservations requested.

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Related Events

An Evening of Readings and Performances at the Poetry Foundation
Thursday, March 1 | 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Featuring writer and translator Nathanaël, artist and translator Jennifer Scappettone, and writer and code artist Judd Morrissey.

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Gallery Talk
Sunday, March 4 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Artist Ellen Rothenberg and Curator Ionit Behar.
Spertus Institute, 610 S. Michigan Ave.

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Cecilia Vicuña, Performance on Migration and Movement
Wednesday, April 4 | 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Chilean artist, writer, and activist.
Spertus Institute, 610 S. Michigan Ave.

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Comments welcome.

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