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Laundromat/Prison

Grantees
Matan Israeli
Open Engagement, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
April 17–April 19, 2015
Exhibition Grant

Laundromat/Prison took place over four consecutive days in Able Laundromaxx, a coin-operated laundromat in Pittsburgh, in what was both a form of imprisonment and durational performance for Matan Israeli during the Open Engagement conference. While “in residence” at the laundromat, the artist ate, slept, and interacted with customers and the audience of the conference, while spending his time trying to destroy the American military uniform he wore while imprisoned in an Israeli military jail by washing and then drying it continuously. Israeli military prisoners wear American army fatigues so that they can be distinguished from their jailers. The significance of the uniform, both for the artist and his American audience, encouraged discussion and exchange surrounding military force, local and global politics, and international perceptions of Israel. A pop-up exhibition of sketches from the period Israeli spent in jail was on display throughout the performance.

Matan Israeli, Launfromat/Prison, 2015, installation view at Able Laundromaxx, Pittsburgh, PA.

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