Artist Jeremy Deller orchestrates public events and collaborative undertakings that bring different social issues into relief. His Battle of Orgreave, for instance, was an epic re-enactment of a violent clash in 1984 between police and striking miners, with the melée's veterans participating. It Is What It Is takes a less spectacular approach, using conversation as a way to grapple with the situation in Iraq and our nation's perceptions of the war. The project began as an RV tour through 15 US cities, facilitating encounters between the public and two Deller collaborators with on-the-ground experience. The MCA's presentation centers around daily discussions with Iraq experts in an ad hoc community space — with the crumpled remains of a bombed-out car planted nearby to ground the proceedings.