In Mona Hatoum’s breathtaking works, conflict arises from the juxtaposition of opposites—beauty and horror, desire and revulsion. Born in Beirut in 1952 to a Palestinian family, Hatoum is concerned with confrontational themes such as violence, oppression, and voyeurism, often in reference to the human body. Published to accompany a major retrospective, Mona Hatoum features the artist’s major works, including well-known pieces such as Corps étranger, 1994, an endoscopic journey through the artist’s body; Hot Spot, a large, cage-like globe with world contours outlined in neon; and Present Tense, which deals with the idea of shifting territories. Beautifully designed, with 250 color images, this book will prove a must for all of those interested in contemporary art, especially video art and installation.
