The Inter-Country Committee BeLux-Lebanon of Rotary International, in collaboration with the Euro-Lebanese Medical Society (SMEL) and under the auspices of the Embassy of Lebanon in Brussels, is hosting an exhibition featuring emerging Lebanese artists in Uccle. Curated by Fabienne Touma (ELFAN), the event will run from March 21 to March 31.
Lebanon, renowned for its invaluable treasures, continuously inspires its expatriate artists who ponder the dilemma of staying or leaving. This theme is at the heart of the "Shades of Lebanon, Artful Memories" exhibition, taking place at the Maison des Arts in Uccle, a district of Brussels, from March 21 to March 31. This initiative by the BeLux-Lebanon Inter-Country Committee of Rotary International, in partnership with SMEL and endorsed by the Embassy of Lebanon in Brussels and curated by ELFAN, transcends a simple showcase of Lebanon’s panoramic beauty and architectural heritage.
The exhibition is designed as an immersive journey into the personal memories and vibrant recollections that shape the essence of Lebanese expatriates. It combines subtle color nuances, emotionally charged faces, historically significant objects and the elegance of Arabic script to depict the complex mosaic of Lebanese memory.
Visitors are invited to experience the narrative of expatriates, retracing their steps back to a reimagined slice of their homeland. The displayed artworks, with their vivid and sometimes naive depictions, present a radiant Lebanon, subtly influenced by foreign elements. Amidst a cultural crossroads, artists navigate between freedom and constraint in their creative endeavors. Through a visual language, they express the tension between longing for the past and grounding in the present, embedding their stories within their creations, aiming for these narratives to endure within collective memory.
"Shades of Lebanon, Artful Memories" is more than an exhibition, it offers a unique exploration into the soul of Lebanon. It reveals the country’s beauty, complexity and diversity through the lens of art and memory. It also prompts reflection on the role of Lebanese artists forced to leave their homeland. This space of contemplation, dialogue and connection fosters unseen bonds between visitors, artworks and their creators. Accompanied by guided tours, conferences and creative workshops, the exhibition delves deeper into its central theme.
The Program:
March 21 from 6 PM:
- Exhibition opening with artists in attendance.
- Guided tour by curator Fabienne Touma.
- Cocktail reception featuring the Ambassador of Lebanon to Brussels, Fadi Hajali, and the Mayor of Uccle, Boris Dilliès.
March 22:
- 11 AM to 5 PM: Artist meet-and-greet during opening hours.
- 6:30 PM to 8 PM: Conference on “The Multicultural Lebanon.”
March 23:
- 11 AM to 12 PM: Calligraphy Workshop with exhibiting artist WAWI.
- 2 PM to 3 PM and 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM: Guided tours by curator Fabienne Touma.
March 24:
- 11 AM to 12 PM: Clay Workshop with artist Mariam Dahdah.
- 2 PM to 3 PM and 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM: Guided tours by curator Fabienne Touma.
March 29:
- 6:30 PM to 8 PM: Roundtable moderated by curator Fabienne Touma on “Expatriate Lebanese Artists: Reflections of a Country in Crisis.”
March 30:
- 2 PM to 3 PM and 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM: Guided tours by curator Fabienne Touma.
March 31:
- Musical closing event.
For additional information, please visit the Rotary CIP BeLux — Lebanon website at https://cip-belux-liban.org/ or www.elfan.fr.
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