Shape the Battlespace
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? 2009 Jenny Holzer/ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

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Shape the Battlespace 2007
  • Artist Rooms
Holzer?s works have a strong political emphasis, questioning how information is both controlled and received in the public domain. First exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 2007, this work forms part of a series of screenprints that reveal sensitive government transcripts relating to America?s intervention in the Middle East. Here Holzer uses a document from the National Security Archive, enlarging a military map of Iraq and setting it against a bright background. As with her earlier 'Truisms', language is Holzer?s primary concern, with the phrase "Shape the Battle Space" appearing sinisterly alongside strategic illustrations of the invasion.

Glossary Open

Screenprint

A print made by forcing ink through a screen on which a stencil is placed. Traditionally used for commercial printing, it has been taken up by artists since the 1960s when it was used extensively in Pop art.

Venice Biennale

An international art exhibition founded in 1895 and held every two years, characterised by its use of national pavilions.

Screenprint, Venice Biennale

Details

  • Acc. No. AR00084
  • Medium Oil on linen
  • Size 200.70 x 259.70 cm
  • Credit ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund 2008

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