Artchaeology: The Way Of The Shovel Premieres At MCA

By Marielle Shaw in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 8, 2013 10:10PM

Le Monde, Le Louvre by Jean Luc Moulene, 2005. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Archaeology has always uncovered amazing art and important insights into the past. Going back as far as cave paintings, we’ve found ourselves interpreting our ancestors lives and feelings through their brushstrokes and thrown pots.

The Way of The Shovel, a new exhibit opening at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Saturday Nov. 9, aims to look at history through the lens of art and vice versa. It’s a group exhibition which focuses primarily on post-9/11 artwork by contemporary artists who have shown great interest in and featured archaeology, history and archival research in their works. More than 30 artists are featured with work from over a dozen countries. The overreaching theme is that archaeology is a key part of the artistic process, not just in the past but in contemporary culture.

Visitors will stroll through two different groupings, one takes a more metaphorical view of the topic and is heavier on photography, film and video. The other focuses more on the relationship between objects, people and the “politics of archaeology itself.”

Opening day boasts free admission for families with children 12 and under between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and a Curator Tour at noon that will be led by MCA Manilow Senior Curator Dieter Roelstraete. The exhibit runs through March 9, 2014 and there are other related talks and workshops on the MCA website. You can also follow them on twitter. Dig in, folks.