The 2018 Edition of BEIRUT ART FAIR Reflects our Rapidly Changing Times
ByGrace Ignacia SeeFounder and Fair Director of this year’s BEIRUT ART FAIR, Laure d’Hauteville states, “Lebanon never had the need to be confronted with art as much as it does today. Art allows us to maintain our hopes and strive for an ideal, initiates a dialogue between cultures, and carries a message of peace”. BEIRUT ART FAIR has undoubtedly grown to become a highly regarded artistic platform. Now in its 9th edition, it finds itself in the presence of leading galleries in modern contemporary art, whilst continuing to renew its support for emerging galleries. For the very first time, the BEIRUT ART FAIR team has assigned renowned architect and urban planner Patrick Boustani to recreate the city of Beirut within the exhibition space itself.
Image courtesy of BEIRUT ART FAIR
“This exceptional event of unprecedented scope will create a dialogue between generations of artists, showcasing over 100 works of art and installations” - Marine Bougaran
Visitors to this year’s fair will experience the ways in which Lebanese photography has evolved over the past century at the Focus exhibition entitled <<Across Boundaries>>. Photography collector Tarek Nahas has undertaken the task of meticulous research, selection and compilation from private and institutional Lebanese collections for this show. This exhibition seeks to explore three themes – Territory, Document, and Intimate. It is aimed at encouraging conversations between viewers, allowing them to discover the histories behind how Lebanese photography and how it has grown.
<<Across Boundaries>> will be assisted by the project’s Artistic Director Marine Bougaran, as well as Laurence Nahas, the Artistic Advisor. Bougaran states regarding this exhibition how, “This exceptional event of unprecedented scope will create a dialogue between generations of artists, showcasing over 100 works of art and installations”.
Image courtesy of BEIRUT ART FAIR
Two other features will take place during BEIRUT ART FAIR – ART by Bankmed and REVEALING by SGBL. ART by Bankmed will offer a glimpse into the world of Street Art, with one of the most important collections of Brian Donelly, also known as KAWS. 40 KAWS figurines will be on display at the space scenographed for Bankmed. This exhibition, curated by Nelly Choucair Zeidan, aims to question viewers on notions of aesthetics within society. REVEALING by SGBL will showcase 18 artists who are represented by their galleries. These will all be works from emerging young artists, allowing SGBL to continue in discovering new talent as they have done for the last 3 years.
Alongside BEIRUT ART FAIR, the Byblos Bank Award for photography will be presented. This award has evolved into one of the most prestigious photography awards in Lebanon due to a seven-year partnership with the fair. It has hugely contributed to how artistic photography has grown in Lebanon, with an increase in how Lebanese photographers are being recognized more both locally and internationally.
Image courtesy of BEIRUT ART FAIR
‘Lebanon Modern! A tribute to Paul Guiragossian’ will consist of a commemorative retrospective during BEIRUT ART FAIR. This marks the 25th anniversary of Guiragossian’s death, who was a great Lebanese painter. The retrospective that has been developed in close collaboration with the Paul Guiragossian Foundation will present sound and video recordings unveiled, for the first time, to the public.
The 9th edition of BEIRUT ART FAIR will take place from 20 to 23 September.
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