From the 2007 video Mary Koszmary (Bad Dreams), a male voice echoes throughout Raffaella Cortese gallery in Yael Bartana's latest solo show. Bartana – whose work has long dealt with both individual and collective experiences of political conflict – focuses here on the leftist theories of Polish scholar Slawomir Sierakowski. The camera directs its attention on the 29-year-old Sierakowski, looking very much the visionary as he delivers a speech full of emphasis and pathos. As the camera turns, we discover that there is no public before him, only an overgrown field. From this empty arena, he appeals to Polish refugees, imploring them to return to Poland. This anthem for a better future is punctuated by one final message, spelled out in large letters on the green field: "3,300,000 Jews can change the life of 40,000,000 Poles."

-Chiara Agnello

Yael Bartana's work is also on view in a solo show at P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center in Long Island City, NY through January 19.