N. O. K. - Next of Kin 2014 - 2017

Inbal Abergil created N.O.K. - Next of Kin as a book object, using bookbinding techniques and commonplace materials. Its navy cover is simply decorated with the title in small red letters, and its dimensions are not unlike those of a family photo album. What appears straightforward is not, for inside are photographs of personal objects that belonged to fallen soldiers of the Israeli army. Abergil engages with a tradition of memorial books while also reflecting on contemporary issues of conflict and remembrance. The book's form evokes the emotional power of handmade objects, while raising difficult questions about the military-industrial complex and its effects on individual lives. Thinking about the context and making of such an artwork encourages us to look beyond traditional distinctions between art, craft, and design, understanding how political forces shape the ways we remember, mourn, and memorialize.