BLOW UP IN BEIRUT: ART HELPS RECUPERATE
Christie’s hosts an auction, ‘We Are All Beirut’, to raise funds to restore the cultural landscape of the art community in Beirut
One would still be shocked watching the footage of the explosion as if one saw it on August 04 2020, where a massive warehouse explosion sent a devastating blast wave across Beirut, killing at least 135 people, leaving 5,000 injured and an estimated 3,00,000 homeless.
The devastating explosion was caused by ignition of the negligent storage of 2,750 tonnes of nitrate, used for agricultural fertilizer. Even as Lebanese rescue workers searched for survivors in the mangled wreckage of buildings the investigators blamed negligence.
This November 2020, Christie’s presents ‘We Are All Beirut’, a charity auction to benefit and aid the restoration and reawakening of the arts and cultural landscape of Beirut.
The proceeds of the auction will be entrusted to The Arab Funds for Arts and Culture (AFAC) to support the arts and culture community in Beirut including the Sursock Museum.
A selection of the works in the auction were part of the exhibition ‘Beirut Year Zero’ which was organized recently in response to the tragic event on 4th August by Zoe and Nabil Debs of Arthaus Beirut and seen by thousands of visitors. The proceeds of these selected works will mainly be donated to the Lebanese Red Cross and Christie’s is excited about the initiative, as the company has supported the Red Cross in times of crisis for more than 100 years.
‘We Are All Beirut’ will auction works by artists across three spheres: the arts, the world of design and jewellery. With works by internationally acclaimed artists such as Palistinian artist Mona Hatoum and specifically commissioned works for the cause by Ayman Baalbaki, Serwan Baran, Abdul Rahman Katanani and Nabil Nahas as well as iconic designs by Paulin Paulin Paulin and Hervé van der Straeten. The jewellery segment of the sale will include exquisite lots courteously donated by various brands and Maison’s, including Hemmerle, Boghossian and Piaget.
Caroline Louca-Kirkland, Managing Director at Christie’s Middle East commented: Supporting the work behind AFAC’s cultural and philanthropic initiative, advocating and directing the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Beirut’s artistic and cultural hubs is so important to us here at Christie’s. Witnessing such an incredible level of interest and generous contributions to ‘We Are All Beirut’, regionally and internationally, depicts the humanity and benevolence that is so very much needed today.
The artwork titled ‘Witness’ by Mona Hatoum captures the spirit of recuperation despite struggle. It features a central figure that resembles the Statue of Liberty holding forth to a group of struggling men some of whom appear to be physically challenged with severed arms and legs.
The work on auction is a rare artist proof. Witness draws directly from Lebanon’s 20th century history and is a miniature, porcelain reproduction of a bronze monument located in the centre of Beirut, Place des Martyrs.
Another work that stands out is by Nabil Nahas, Untitled (Cedar Trees) the painting conveys a sense of both calmness and chaos.
Based in Beirut since its inception in 2007, AFAC strives to support and help in building all elements of the arts and culture within the Arab region. AFAC’s Solidarity Fund has been repurposed to respond to the rebuilding and rehabilitation of Beirut’s impacted arts community by providing financial help as well as dedicated support programs.
“The aftermath of the August 4th catastrophe has struck an astounding, unprecedented blow, to civilian life as well as to the arts and culture sector in Lebanon, the very existence of which has been threatened this year by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovering from the shock will require time, money, reconvening as a community to identify priorities, articulate visions and re-think the ways in which cultural production can engage with this moment in history at the local as well as global levels,”
– Rima Mismar, Director of AFAC.
Text by Georgina Maddox
Images courtesy: Christie’s international auction house
Find out more about the Artist and Gallery:
https://www.arabculturefund.org/
https://www.instagram.com/mona.hatoum11/
https://www.instagram.com/nabildebs/?hl=en
http://www.artnet.com/artists/ayman-baalbaki/
https://www.instagram.com/abdulrahmankatanani/?hl=en
https://paulinpaulinpaulin.com/en/
https://www.vanderstraeten.fr/en/
http://www.boghossianjewels.com/en/
https://www.instagram.com/carolinelouca_/?hl=af
https://www.arabculturefund.org/About/Team/9
http://www.aractingiwilly.com/
