13 Sep 2016

ART IN MOTION presents 'Resistance and Persistence' in Beirut

THE EXHIBITING ARTISTS
Mustafa Ali (Syria) | Ziad Antar (Lebanon) | Bokja Design (Lebanon) | Chaouki Choukini (Lebanon) | Karine Debouzie (France) | Nancy Debs Hadad (Lebanon) | Yazan Halwani (Lebanon) | Zeina Hamady (Lebanon) | Ghaleb Amin Hawila (Lebanon) | Nabil Helou (Lebanon) | Thomas Houseago (United Kingdom) | Abdul Rahman Katanani (Palestine) | Vika Kova (The Netherlands) | Hanaa Malallah (Irak) | Randa Nehme (Lebanon) | Marwan Rechmaoui (Lebanon) | Lutfi Romhein (Syria) | Houmam Al Sayed (Syria) | Xander Spronken (The Netherlands) | Xavier Veilhan (France) | Atelier Yok Yok (France) | Ada Yu (Kazakhstan) | Cathy Weyders (Belgium) | Ghassan Zard (Lebanon)

***

Artists from the MENA region as well as international artists exhibit their works linked to the historical importance of Rene Mouawad Garden (Sanayeh) and inspired by the theme 'Resistance and Persistence'.
The selected international artists produce their works 'in situ', interacting with local artistic practices as well as locally sourced materials from the region.

ART IN MOTION: SET THE ART IN MOTION
ART IN MOTION is a non-profit organization, committed to establish a cultural dialogue through art in public space. Its interventions' aim is to promote all forms of artistic expression, in a Lebanese context, while establishing exchanges with international art scenes to encourage meetings with the public and make art accessible to all. The organization was founded by Rania Tabbara and Rania Halawi, both independent curators and Raya Farhat, independent artistic director. They both share a common vision of contemporary art and its critical role in our societies to 'raise awareness and create a cohesive force.'
Through various art events, exhibitions or performances, ART IN MOTION puts art in motion to pave way for exchange and encounters across the public of various backgrounds and strengthen dialogue between Lebanon and the region.

RENE MOUAWAD GARDEN (SANAYEH), A PLACE THAT IS RICH IN HISTORY
Built in 1907 under Ottoman rule, the René Moawad Garden (Sanayeh) is located at the heart of Beirut. With its 22,000 square meters, it is one of the largest parks in the Lebanese capital.
It was built following a plan of modernization of the city and turned the area into a new urban development center during the nineteenth century.
Adjacent to the garden, a school of arts and crafts and a hospital were built. Sanayeh means 'creation' or 'craft'. The garden, the hospital and school were celebrated as a triumph of man over nature.
After the attack that took the life of President Rene Mouawad in November 1989, the authorities wanted to honor him and decided to give his name to Sanayeh Garden.
In recent decades, the garden has become a symbol of resistance and solidarity. It served as a reception area. In 2012, the garden was closed to the public. In 2014, after two years of renovation by the Azadea foundation, a non-profit organization, the Sanayeh garden reopened; trees were replanted, flowers blossomed, ideas began to circulate again; it regained its initial function as a forum of dialogue and communication.
In 2016, ART IN MOTION settles at the garden to make it its playground for creativity and invention, to let dreams flourish, and let all imaginations develop.

RESISTANCE AND PERSISTENCE
By bringing together 24 Lebanese and international artists and making their works engage in a dialogue in a public space, full of history, ART IN MOTION, organizes here a leading event that is representative of its values and ambitions that is investing in public areas, inviting the general public to look at art and engage with it.
Sculptures, installations, video, conceptual art, design, performance, are choreographed within the theme: 'Resistance and Persistence', that is at the heart of our polemic today. Reconciliation between a painful past and a chaotic present is possible ... Art enables us to identify our points of reference.
Public debates are organized throughout the duration of the event; validating that art is not merely cultural; it is integrated within the workings of society. These open talks envision that art is a sustainable heritage for one and for all.
In addition to that, several meetings with artists and experts in contemporary art highlight local achievements and their impact on the regional and international art scene. Also, introductory workshops on different forms of expression have been organized: workshops on the integration of Arabic calligraphy in contemporary art, workshop on architecture…

THE PROJECT OPERATORS
Rania Tabbara, Rania Halawi and Raya Farhat are co-founders of ART IN MOTION. They have assembled a team of specialists who combine their talent, experience and commitment to realize this project as well as future initiatives.

Valerie Reinhold, consultant is an independent curator based in Amsterdam. She created the company redprint:dna, a consulting firm in art for collectors and communities.
A consulting committee formed of Ahmad Tabbara, Roula Alami and Dina Zamely, joined the organizing team.

Lina Ghotmeh advised on the exhibition setup. Award winning Architect, she leads her Architectural practice DGT in Paris with worldwide projects including in France, Beirut and Japan. Among her designs the Estonian National Museum, Realimenter Massena sustainable tower in Paris, Stone Garden housing and Art Galeries underconstruction in Beirut.

CONTACTS www.art-inmotion.org

Rania Halawi, Founder and curator
+ 961 3 337336 rania.halawi@art-inmotion.org

Rania Tabbara, Founder and curator
+961 3 668 071 rania.tabbara@art-inmotion.org

PRESS RELATIONS
Agence Communication Culture
Sylvia Beder +33 142 180 942
sylvia@sylviabeder.com
www.sylviabeder.com