In Yael Bartana‘s neon work titled Eretz, the Hebrew word for “land” or “country” is rendered in vibrant yellow light. Known for her use of neon, Bartana often incorporates text and symbols in her work that delve into themes of identity, politics, and history. Eretz reflects Bartana‘s ongoing exploration of national identity, and the complex narratives tied to land and belonging. By treating the word pictographically, to depict strands of wheat, Bartana instills the work with a sense of embodied significance that transcends language.
The work symbolically illuminates the complex associations with the concept of land and homeland, highlighting the constraints and limitations inherent in language. Through Eretz Bartana offers a powerful visual metaphor that challenges static and monolithic understandings of identity and belonging.