Beirut Art Fair 2018: Lebanese Contemporary Art Scene's Global Rebirth
The Beirut Art Fair, which took place from September 20 to 23, 2018, emphasized the vibrancy of Lebanon's contemporary art landscape during a period of economic hardship. Established in 2010 by Laure d'Hauteville, the fair has evolved significantly over its eight-year history. The Prix Marcel Duchamp was awarded to artist duo Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, while filmmaker Nadine Labaki took home the Jury Prize at Cannes. Joanna Abou Sleiman-Chevalier drew a comparison between Beirut and Berlin. Notably, Lebanese artists are gaining representation in Parisian galleries, such as Hadjithomas and Joreige at In Situ-Fabienne Leclerc. Local venues like Agial Art Gallery and Marfa Gallery continue to flourish. The fair also presented 'Across Boundaries,' which featured Lebanese photography spanning from 1900 to today, alongside parallel events like 'Past Disquiet' at Sursock Museum and the opening of Nabu Museum.
Key facts
- Beirut Art Fair 2018 held September 20-23, founded by Laure d'Hauteville in 2010.
- Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige won the Prix Marcel Duchamp in 2018.
- Nadine Labaki received the Jury Prize at Cannes in 2018.
- Joanna Abou Sleiman-Chevalier compared Beirut to Berlin as a cosmopolitan city.
- Hadjithomas and Joreige represented by In Situ-Fabienne Leclerc gallery in Paris.
- Katya Traboulsi represented by Dominique Fiat gallery.
- Saleh Barakat founded Agial Art Gallery and Saleh Barakat Gallery.
- Marfa Gallery opened three years ago by Joumana Asseily.
- Tanit Gallery founded by Naïla Kettaneh-Kunigk in Berlin with a Beirut branch.
- Photography exhibition 'Across Boundaries' covered Lebanese photography from 1900 to present.
- Sursock Museum presented 'Past Disquiet' curated by Kristine Khoury and Rasha Salti.
- Beirut Art Center showed Daniele Genadry until October 7.
- Nabu Museum inaugurated with collection of Jawad & Zeina Adra, architecture by Mahmoud Obaidi and Dia Azzawi.
- Exhibition 'Cycles of Collapsing Progress' in Tripoli until October 23 at Rachid Kamaré Fair.
- Oscar Niemeyer designed buildings in Tripoli between 1968 and 1975.
- Works by Rayyane Tabet, Zad Moultaka, Ali Cherri, and Stéphanie Saadé featured in Tripoli.
Entities
Artists
- Joana Hadjithomas
- Khalil Joreige
- Nadine Labaki
- Katya Traboulsi
- Tagreed Darghout
- Ayman Baalbaki
- Lamia Joreige
- Vartan Avakian
- Tamara Al-Samerraei
- Roy Dib
- Fouad Elkoury
- Georges Azar
- Akraam Zaatari
- Roger Moukarzel
- Daniele Genadry
- Mahmoud Obaidi
- Dia Azzawi
- Rayyane Tabet
- Zad Moultaka
- Ali Cherri
- Stéphanie Saadé
- Paul Guiragossian
Institutions
- Beirut Art Fair
- In Situ-Fabienne Leclerc
- Dominique Fiat
- Agial Art Gallery
- Saleh Barakat Gallery
- Marfa Gallery
- Tanit Gallery
- Sursock Museum
- Beirut Art Center
- Nabu Museum
- Rachid Kamaré Fair
- Université arabe de Beyrouth
Locations
- Beirut
- Lebanon
- Paris
- France
- Berlin
- Germany
- New York
- United States
- Tripoli
Sources
- artpress —