Nasher Sculpture Center Announces 2020 Nasher Prize Month
Series of public programs and events brings fresh insight to the work of the 2020 Nasher Prize Laureate Michael Rakowitz, from March 7 – April 4; Laureate’s work on view through May 3
Dallas, TX (February 20, 2020) – Nasher Sculpture Center announces a series of public programs celebrating the work of the 2020 Nasher Prize Laureate Michael Rakowitz, from March 7 to April 4, 2020. Several free public events will be offered as part of Nasher Prize Dialogues, the discursive platform of the Nasher Prize, including a symposium promoting scholarship related to Rakowitz’s work, a panel addressing socially- and politically-driven art, and a lecture presented by Rakowitz himself. Additionally, family activities and resources will specifically engage students and families, including free general admission and family activities during spring break, from March 17-22, and a celebratory student festival and Michael Rakowitz-inspired zine launch on March 28.
Drawing upon his heritage as an American artist of Iraqi-Jewish descent, Rakowitz explores the legacies of centuries of conflict in the Middle East, most recently addressing the Iraq War and its aftermath. Two works by Rakowitz will be on view from March 7 through May 3: The invisible enemy should not exist (Room F, section 1, Northwest Palace of Nimrud) and The Ballad of Special Ops Cody. Together, the works—a series of relief sculptures and a film, respectively—exemplify the achievements of an artist who creates complex layers of meaning by delving into the unexpected connections between ancient historical conflicts and our present moment.
Now in its fifth year, Nasher Prize is an ambitious international award established to honor a living artist who elevates our understanding of sculpture and its possibilities. Michael Rakowitz was selected for this year’s award by an international jury of museum directors, curators, artists, and art historians who demonstrate an unparalleled expertise in the field of sculpture.
ALL PROGRAMS LISTED ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
March 7, 2020 / Free admission 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Family programming 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nasher Sculpture Center
Look, learn and love your time at the Nasher every first Saturday of the month. Bring the whole crew to create, discover and make new memories together.
March 17 – 22, 2020
Nasher Sculpture Center
Free admission all week, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Bring the whole family to enjoy a week of free programming at the Nasher in celebration of 2020 Nasher Prize Laureate Michael Rakowitz. Investigate big ideas in Rakowitz’s work through interactive resources.
March 20, 2020 / Free admission 6 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Nasher Sculpture Center
Electronic musician Fennesz performs in the Nasher Garden at 8:15 p.m. Other acts throughout the evening include Corridor, Caterina Barbieri, and a DJ set by Cadence Weapon.
March 28, 2020 / Free admission 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Interactive programming 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nasher Sculpture Center
Join us as we celebrate the launch of a student-created zine. This event will feature music and interactive projects inspired by themes in the work of 2020 Nasher Prize Laureate, Michael Rakowitz.
Nasher Prize Graduate Symposium
April 2, 2020 / 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Keynote speaker at 4 p.m.
Nasher Sculpture Center
The Nasher Prize Graduate Symposium invites master’s and doctoral students from around the world to present scholarly work on a host of questions and topics related to 2020 Nasher Prize Laureate, Michael Rakowitz. Student presentations and an accompanying publication expand scholarship on the field of contemporary sculpture and its many forms. The symposium will be moderated by Dr. Nada Shabout of University of North Texas, founding president of the Association for Modern and Contemporary Art from the Arab World, Iran and Turkey. The keynote presentation by renowned curator, researcher and scholar Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, director of Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea and Nasher Prize juror, will end the day’s events.
Nasher Prize Dialogues: Michael Rakowitz
April 3, 2020 / 1 p.m.
Nasher Sculpture Center
Since his career began in the late 1990s, Michael Rakowitz’s dynamic body of work has involved intensive research, resulting in an array of objects, environments, films, and publications that seek to reclaim, reposition or refocus complicated aspects of material and cultural histories. At this lecture, learn from the 2020 Nasher Prize laureate about his powerful practice.
April 4, 2020 / Free admission 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Family programming 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nasher Sculpture Center
Look, learn and love your time at the Nasher every first Saturday of the month. Bring the whole crew to create, discover and make new memories together.
Nasher Prize Dialogues: Stepping Up: Political Activism in Contemporary Sculpture
April 4, 2020 / 11:30 a.m.
Dallas Museum of Art, Horchow Auditorium
Join a discussion inspired by the 2020 Nasher Prize Laureate Michael Rakowitz about art that seeks to radically affect social and political arenas. The discussion will be moderated by Nasher Prize Juror Pablo León de la Barra, and the panel will include Sofia Bastidas, Southern Methodist University’s Pollock Gallery director and curatorial fellow; Claire Bishop, art historian and professor at City University of New York; and Justine Ludwig, director of Creative Time.
Additional Nasher Prize Month Resources
School Tours
Free guided and self-guided tours can be reserved for K–12, college and adult groups featuring themes related to the work of the 2020 Laureate Michael Rakowitz. Tours must be scheduled 3 weeks in advance.
Transportation Scholarships
Bus reimbursement funds are available for schools who visit during Nasher Prize Month.
Learning Resources for Students and Families
The Nasher will offer on-site bilingual educational guides on the work of the Michael Rakowitz for families and student groups.
The Nasher Store is currently carrying several Michael Rakowitz-related products, including his recent cookbook dedicated to Iraqi date syrup, A House with a Date Palm Will Never Starve. All available products can be found in the Nasher Store’s online shop.
Nasher Prize Support
2020 Nasher Prize Co-Chairs / Nancy Carlson and Adriana
Dialogues Sponsor / The Hartland and Mackie Family
Graduate Symposium Sponsors / Marguerite Hoffman and Thomas Lentz; Elizabeth Redleaf; Alan and Adrian Sada; Albertina Cisneros and Juan Pascual; Lisa Dawson and Thomas Murstad
Education and Community Month Sponsor / The Donna Willhelm Family Fund
Media Partners / KERA’s Art & Seek and PaperCity
Transportation Partner / Dallas Area Rapid Transportation (DART)
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
