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As part of the Beirut Art Days, the Teal Art Foundation presents “Vision of Time,” a unique exhibition blending traditional art with modern technologies. A fascinating dialogue between eight historical paintings of Bedouin women and the contemporary creation of Roger Moukarzel.
From July 3 to July 16, the Teal Art Foundation invites us on an extraordinary artistic journey with the Vision of Time exhibition. Organized as part of the Beirut Art Days, this event offers an unprecedented encounter between traditional works and contemporary art, through the creative lens of Roger Moukarzel.
At the heart of this exhibition are eight paintings of Bedouin and Arab women, created between 1915 and 1930 by artists Habib Samir Omar Obsi, César Gemayel, Saliba Douaihy and Mustapha Farroukh. These historical works served as the starting point for a bold artistic exploration, led by renowned photographer and content creator Roger Moukarzel.
“It all began with a delicate choice: selecting eight paintings of Bedouin and Arab women, created between 1915 and 1930. Weaving a dialogue between these old works and my contemporary art was an ambitious challenge,” says Roger Moukarzel.
To breathe life into these century-old paintings, the artist turned to modern technologies, notably artificial intelligence (AI). “Artificial intelligence, an indispensable tool of our time, became the guiding thread of my exhibition,” he explains. AI thus allowed for the creation of bridges between the past and the present, offering a new perspective on these traditional works.
Roger Moukarzel also chose to incorporate the Arabic language into the exhibition, paying homage to the artists and subjects depicted. “With the help of specialists, I opted for Arabic, the native language of the artists and painted subjects. Time became the soul of this exhibition. The choice of small poetic phrases served as whispers from the past conversing with the present,” he reveals.
The exhibition is distinguished by innovative artistic techniques. Roger Moukarzel created a series of photographic variations based on the original paintings. The tattoos present on three of the eight works were isolated to give birth to a vertical series of abstract paintings. One of the works was even reinterpreted using the CMYK color system (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), a technique borrowed from the printing world.
“Faced with these paintings, I let my imagination run free. I dreamed of these women living today, engaging in deep and sincere conversations with them, as if we were speaking here and now. Immersed in their world, I tried to grasp their thoughts as they looked back at me. Thus, a profound connection was born between this century-old painting and me,” confides Roger Moukarzel.
Beyond the fusion of traditional art and modern technologies, “Vision of Time” invites reflection on the longevity of art. “Time, as an obvious element. Reviving and modernizing these paintings after so many years rendered them immortal, revealing that art transcends human life with its unparalleled longevity,” the artist emphasizes.
This fascinating exhibition, co-curated by Randa Sadaka and Mazen Soueid, offers a unique artistic experience, where the past and present meet, where cultures dialogue, where traditional art is reinvented through modern technologies. A true ode to creativity and the timelessness of art.
“Vision of Time” is on display from Wednesday, July 3 to Tuesday, July 16, as part of the Beirut Art Days. This exhibition promises to leave a lasting impression with its audacity, poetry and ability to transcend time.
