Portal to 1947 by Dima Srouji 2025
Jerusalem gold limestone and stained cathedral glass
This sculpture reimagines MIT’s windows and similar architectural elements to offer a contemporary perspective on their checkered, if not overlooked, reception in art history. Drawing inspiration from traditional regional architecture, the work incorporates the intricate patterns of qamariyya windows from Yemen, floral motifs from Gaza, the vibrant colored glass tones of Cairene qamariyyat, and the stone craftsmanship of Bethlehem.
The nostalgic sculpture further crafts a socio-historical commentary in its overlay of a street pattern from the unrealized 1947 master plan for the city of Jaffa. Commissioned by the city’s last Palestinian mayor, Yusef Haykal, and designed by Egyptian architect Ali Al Malijy Massoud, the plan represents a final attempt to develop Jaffa as a major Palestinian city and regional center. This vision was never realized due to the 1947 partition of Mandatory Palestine, the displacement of Jaffa’s Arab residents, and the city’s eventual annexation to Tel Aviv in 1950 following the establishment of the State of Israel. Through its visual motifs, the sculpture evokes memories of displacement, resilience, and the enduring impact of history on cultural identity.
Aga Khan Documentation Center, Department of Distinctive Collections, MIT Libraries