In a lecture titled “The Mesopotamian Sublime: Time, Matter, and Image in Mesopotamian Antiquity,” Zainab Bahrani, Edith Porada Professor of Art History and Archaeology at Columbia University, considers the idea of ‘art-time’ by exploring the aesthetics of the sublime in Mesopotamian antiquity. Dr. Bahrani contends that an ancient conception of the sublime comes into play in the “deep time” of foundation deposits with their interred statues and texts, in architectural monuments, and in the elevated, timeless cliff sculptures of the northern Mesopotamian landscape. 

Columbia alumni are invited to enjoy wine and light food at an exclusive reception starting at 2:30 pm prior to the lecture which will begin at 4pm. Columbia attendees will also receive free access to the recently renovated Ancient Near Eastern galleries. The reception will be held on Level 2 and the lecture in Ackerman Hall on Level 3.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Please RSVP for the reception and lecture here.