Emily Jacir

Crossing Surda (a record of going to and from work)

  • ArtistEmily Jacir
  • TitleCrossing Surda (a record of going to and from work)
  • Year of Origin2002-2003
  • GenreVideo
  • Technique and Duration2-channel video installation, color, sound, 132:00 min, text
  • Erwerbungsjahr2023
  • Donation Barbara and Axel Haubrok

Emily Jacir, Crossing Surda (a record of going to and from work), 2002-2003, Photo: Thomas Bruns

Emily Jacir, Crossing Surda (a record of going to and from work), 2002-2003, Photo: Thomas Bruns

Emily Jacir (b. 1970 Bethlehem, PS, lives in New York, NY, US and Ramallah, PS) explores questions of translation and movement, resistance and silenced historical narratives in film, text and photography, installations and performative works – especially against the backdrop of Mediterranean colonial history. The 132-minute two-channel video installation Crossing Surda (a record of going to and from work) is a harrowing document of Palestinian reality in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. For eight days, Jacir used a hidden camera to document her daily walk to and from work. The installation consists of a projection with sound in real time and individual sequences shown in slow motion separated from the soundtrack on a separate monitor. The images, secretly filmed with the camcorder, bear witness to the daily imposition of crossing the Surda checkpoint, guarded by armed soldiers, on the only road connecting Ramallah with Bir Zait University and about 30 other Palestinian villages.

– Gabriele Knapstein