Beirut Art Center's 'slow burn' exhibition explores fire through creation amid Lebanon's crises
Curated by Danielle Makhoul, the 'slow burn' exhibition at Beirut Art Center delves into the theme of fire as a force of destruction, mirroring Lebanon's ongoing crises such as the economic downturn, the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Port Blast, and the conflict with Israel. An open call attracted 20 artists, with nine setting up studios for public viewing. Elie Mouhanna's piece, 'I've killed too many birds with concentrated sun beams' (2025), illustrates the Ashalim solar plant, while Afram Chamoun's 'Power Station (Jiyeh)' (2025) juxtaposes a ruined power station with a drawing. Abdelrahman Abo Lela's 'Black Cloud' (2016) connects fire to health concerns. The exhibition is on display until 28 February.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'slow burn' curated by Danielle Makhoul at Beirut Art Center
- Features 20 artists from Lebanon and the wider region
- Nine artists relocated studios to the center for public process observation
- Explores fire as destructive and latent, linked to Lebanon's crises
- Includes works by Elie Mouhanna, Afram Chamoun, Abdelrahman Abo Lela, Nadine Kerbaj, Salah Missi, Mayssa El Khoury, Tamara Kalo, Tala Asmar, Aya Nadera Zantout
- Runs until 28 February
- Addresses themes of destruction, grief, and transformation
- Context includes economic collapse, COVID-19, 2020 Port Blast, Israel's war on Lebanon
Entities
Artists
- Danielle Makhoul
- Elie Mouhanna
- Afram Chamoun
- Abdelrahman Abo Lela
- Nadine Kerbaj
- Salah Missi
- Mayssa El Khoury
- Tamara Kalo
- Tala Asmar
- Aya Nadera Zantout
Institutions
- Beirut Art Center
- Canvas
Locations
- Beirut
- Lebanon
- Palestine
- Naqab desert
- Egypt
- Nile Delta
- Beqaa region
- Mediterranean
- Saida
- Yafa