Goodbye Mschatta

On the occasion of the upcoming restoration and relocation of the Mschatta façade from the south to the north wing of the Pergamonmuseum, Ali Kaaf enters into a contemporary dialogue with his work I am Stranger. Twofold a Stranger into a contemporary dialogue with the facade.

The facade of the early Islamic caliph's palace Mschatta from Jordan is the largest and perhaps most important work of Islamic-influenced art in a museum worldwide. It came to Berlin in 1903 as a diplomatic gift from the Ottoman sultan.

German-Syrian artist Ali Kaaf sees the changing history of the Mshatta facade as a metaphor through which he reflects on migration, integration, home and identity. In his installation I am Stranger. Twofold a Stranger he works with views through and into the monumental Mschatta facade.