Khalil Rabah: "United States of Palestine Airlines, London Office"

Rose Issa Projects
269 Kensington High Street, London W8 6NA
31 January - 11 March 2009
Tuesday-Saturday, 12noon-5pm by appointment

“United States of Palestine Airlines, London Office” is an installation by the Palestinian artist Khalil Rabah, who lives in Ramallah.

The installation includes a large model plane comprising the logos of various airlines, a map with haphazardly coloured boundaries, empty display cabinets, five clocks whose hands are frozen at different times, and a sofa with no client to welcome. This wonderful artwork speaks better of the present situation, dreams and aspirations of the Palestinians than any book or film.

Khalil Rabah has co-founded some of the most interesting cultural projects in Palestine: the Al Ma’mal Foundation in East Jerusalem; the Riwaq Biennale and also a work in progress – “The Palestinian Museum of Natural History and Humankind” - a conceptual and poetic project full of wit, humour, irony and fascinating ideas, which was recently exhibited at the Liverpool Biennial.

"United States of Palestine, London Office" was exhibited at the European Parliament in 2008 to coincide with the Arab Week meeting of European and Arab parliamentary representatives.