Press Release:
BEIRUT ART FAIR 9th edition was announced during a press conference at Hotel Le Gray in the presence of the minister of Culture Dr. Ghattas Khoury, Gordon Campbell Gray, founder and chairman of CampbellGray Hotels, Zeina Zamel, Head of Marketing and Communication at Bankmed, the fair’s official partner, Joanna Baloglou, Head of corporate communication at Société Générale de Banque au Liban, Nada Tawil, Head of the group communication department at Byblos Bank, Elizabeth Gilgen, chargé d’affaires at the embassy of Switzerland, Véronique Aulagnon, director of the Institut français du Liban, accompanied by Sid Rouis, director of the Institut français du Liban in Deir Al Qamar, Laure d’Hauteville, founder and director of the fair, Pascal Odille, artistic director, Joanna Abou Sleiman-Chevalier Special Advisor of the 2018 edition, Marine Bougaran, director of the “Projects” space and the focus exhibition on photography, Tarek Nahas, curator of the focus exhibition on photography, and Marie-Mathilde Gannat in charge of BEIRUT ART WEEK.
Under the patronage of the President of the Council of Ministers H.E. Mr. Saad Hariri, BEIRUT ART FAIR proposes a vast program of exhibitions intended to create bridges between professionals in the field of art. It will take place in Hall 3 of the Seaside Arena (formerly BIEL) from September 20 to September 23, 2018
H.E. Dr. Ghattas Khoury saluted the efforts of BEIRUT ART FAIR’s organizing team, and stressed on the importance of Lebanon's participation in cultural events, particularly BEIRUT ART FAIR. He indicated that within the framework of the ministry’s 5-year plan, investments in the cultural field should positively impact the economy. And he added “It is expected that CEDRE 1 will support the ministry’s plan with financing up to $280 million in the hope that the return will be equivalent to 2.5 billion for the local economy.”
Laure d’Hauteville said: “The 2018 edition of BEIRUT ART FAIR reflects the rapidly changing times we are in. 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” and added that BEIRUT ART FAIR is considered a highly regarded artistic platform that constitutes a guarantee of excellence to galleries.
BEIRUT ART FAIR reinforces, in 2018, the presence of leading galleries in modern and contemporary art and renews its support for emerging galleries. A large number of galleries have already confirmed its participation and the fair welcomes this year new international galleries from France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Palestine, Armenia, Ivory Coast, and Belarus.
The 2018 edition, with an increased space and a more selective approach, marks an upgrade by developing and affirming a more assertive positioning, in phase with the expectations of a new pool, of dynamic and informed regional and international amateurs and collectors.
BEIRUT ART FAIR relies on an experienced committee composed of personalities from the world of international art: Joanna Abou Sleiman-Chevalier, both curator and consultant in contemporary art, “special advisor” for the 2018 edition, and Tamara Inja-Jaber, artistic advisor for major collections in the Gulf countries, Basel Dalloul, Abraham Karabajakian and Tarek Nahas whose collections, respectively paintings and photographs, are among the most important in the Middle East and the Arab world.
In 2018, for the first time, the BEIRUT ART FAIR team has assigned the renowned architect and urban planner, Patrick Boustani, to recreate the city of Beirut within the exhibition space.
Focus Exhibition «ACROSS BOUNDARIES »
Visitors to BEIRUT ART FAIR 2018 will have the opportunity to discover just how far Lebanese photography has come over the past century at the Focus exhibition, titled «ACROSS BOUNDARIES »
Tarek Nahas, a passionate collector of photographs, has undertaken the meticulous research, selection and compilation of works from private and institutional Lebanese collections for the show, ably assisted by Marine Bougaran, the project’s artistic director, and its artistic advisor, Laurence Nahas.
Marine Bougaran said, “This exceptional event of unprecedented scope will create a dialogue between generations of artists, showcasing over 100 works of art and installations, representing Lebanese photographic production from the 1900s to the present day.
The exhibition will explore three themes – Territory, Document, and Intimate – with the focus on creating and encouraging a conversation, and inviting visitors to discover the heritage of Lebanese photography.
«ACROSS BOUNDARIES» was made possible thanks to the support of Byblos Bank, La Régie Libanaise Des Tabacs et Tombacs and the Swiss Embassy in Lebanon. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of roundtable talks and the publication of a catalogue, including a text by Tatyana Frank, director of the Musée de l'Élysée in Lausanne.
ART by Bankmed
The exhibition offers a tour into the particular world of "Street Art" thanks to one of the most important collections of the American artist KAWS.The 40 figurines on display at the space scenographed for Bankmed, main partner of the fair, are creations of New York painter and designer Brian DONELLY (1974), known under his artist name KAWS.
The exhibition, curated by Nelly Choucair Zeidan, plunges the visitor into current aesthetic and sociological questioning.
«Bankmed remains proud of its partnership with BEIRUT ART FAIR. Through this collaboration, the Bank has not only maintained its image as a leading financial institution but also contributed to promoting Beirut’s individuality across the globe» said Zeina Zamel, Head of Marketing and Communication at Bankmed.
REVEALING BY SGBL
For its 3rd consecutive year, REVEALING by SGBL was able to bet on quality, to demonstrate its vitality, to establish itself, and to seduce by its success the art collectors and amateurs.
This year, 18 artists, represented by their galleries, have been selected to present a selection of their recent artworks.
Joanna Baloglou, Head of Corporate Communication at SGBL said: “Today, more than ever, REVEALING brings real expertise in talent discovery. In 3 years, we can say today that SGBL has succeeded in discovering promising young artists thanks to the REVEALING platform, a pool of talent and an essential space of discovery representing the emerging artistic scene. We are therefore proud to say that we have been the forerunners in the discovery of future "stars" in the history of art in Lebanon”.
BYBLOS BANK AWARD
Over the course of seven years, the Byblos Bank Award for photography has evolved into one of the most prestigious photography awards in Lebanon. This was achieved thanks to seven years of partnership with the fair, commitment from emerging Lebanese photographers, confidence from experts in the field of artistic photography.
Nada Tawil, Head of Group Communication Department at Byblos Bank said: “The Byblos Bank Award for photography has largely contributed to the development of the artistic photography market in Lebanon through 7 successful editions. As a result, since 2012, more and more galleries are becoming interested in artistic photography, more and more emerging Lebanese photographers are being noticed locally and internationally, and most of all, photography is becoming more important within BEIRUT ART FAIR, the artistic fair by excellence.”
LEBANON MODERN! A TRIBUTE TO PAUL GUIRAGOSSIAN
BEIRUT ART FAIR presents a commemorative retrospective marking the 25th anniversary of the death of the great Lebanese painter Paul Guiragossian. The retrospective which 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.
VIP Lounge by Arab Bank (Lebanon)
On the occasion of its 75th anniversary in Lebanon, Arab Bank presents part of its art collection in the VIP Lounge of BEIRUT ART FAIR. This space allows VIPs to relax and taste the astonishing creations of the young Lebanese chef, Tara Khattar.
Nadim Ghantous, Lebanon Country Manager, said “Arab Bank (Lebanon) has been present in Lebanon since 1943, the year of the country's independence. Throughout the years, the Bank has accumulated an interesting collection of artwork from various Lebanese artists and will be sharing it with art lovers during BEIRUT ART FAIR 2018. One thing to be remembered: “banking is also an art”.
VIP Program - Conferences/Round Tables - Signatures
BEIRUT ART FAIR 2018 offers a VIP program including visits to artists’ workshops, private collections and museums all over Lebanon.
A series of conversations, interviews, exchanges and debates are organized during the 5 days of BEIRUT ART FAIR, focusing on the subject of modern and contemporary art of the region.
Topics such as the Art of Collecting, Ancient Photography or Heritage Collection, Keys to a better understanding of photography, but also the importance of artists’ committees for expertise, Territory, Art in the Public Space, and other subjects, will be tackled from historical, theoretical and critical points of view regarding regional art.
MACAM (Modern and Contemporary Art Museum), continues its partnership with the fair and presents a collection of books on art, sometimes impossible to find on the market. Meetings with experts and signing sessions will be held during the 5 days of the fair.
BEIRUT ART WEEK 2018
BEIRUT ART WEEK (September 18 – 25), managed by Marie-Mathilde Gannat, allows the public, to discover the monumental sculptures displayed in prestigious boutiques and streets of Beirut, to take part in unveilings, to enjoy an open air cinema in the archaeological sites, to participate in «La Nocturne des Galeries » and celebrate creation in the city of Beirut.
BEIRUT ART WEEK is supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, the Municipality of Beirut, Solidere, and by participating boutiques.
ABOUT BEIRUT ART FAIR 2018
BEIRUT ART FAIR was created in 2010 and is directed by Laure d’Hauteville, an exhibition curator and former journalist. BEIRUT ART FAIR’s Artistic Director is Pascal Odille, an expert in modern and contemporary art (member of C.N.E.S.). Marine Bougaran directs the fair’s photography section as well as its "Projects" spaces.
The 9th edition of BEIRUT ART FAIR will take place from 20 to 23 September, in Hall 3 of the Seaside Arena (formerly BIEL), opening on 19 September, in the Lebanese capital with an increase of 45% of exhibition space and 32,000 expected visitors (compared to 28,000 in 2017).
To download the Press Kit and Press Images: www.tinyurl.com/BeirutArtFair2018
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