The Oriental Institute in Chicago, home to one of the world’s great collections of Ancient Near Eastern art and antiquities, was founded in 1919 by a giant in the field—archaeologist and Egyptologist James Henry Breasted (even his name is fabulous). This is the man who christened the lands of the ancient middle east “The Fertile Crescent.” To kickoff its centennial celebration this year, the Institute has asked acclaimed contemporary artists Mohamed Hafez, Ann Hamilton, and Michael Rakowitz to create works that speak to ancient artifacts in the collection. —L.J.