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3. Elie Rizkallah Explores Architectural Memory Through Reminiscence

An exhibition by artist Elie Rizkallah, Reminiscence, will take place at Mission Art Gallery in Mar Mikhael, with an opening on Thursday, March 20, at 5 PM. The exhibition will run until March 30. The artist shared his vision and the inspirations behind this project in an interview with This Is Beirut.

Through this exhibition, Elie Rizkallah offers an artistic reinterpretation of 1960s Lebanese architecture. Now based in Paris, the artist draws inspiration from the streets of Beirut, where each building tells a story—a narrative woven between memory and disappearance. He shares his thoughts with This Is Beirut.

The idea for this exhibition stems from a deep desire to preserve, in his own way, places that are at risk of fading into oblivion. “These are spaces I wanted to remember and safeguard, especially the architectural landmarks of the 1960s, many of which have vanished,” he explains. Sensitive to the ephemeral nature of things, he sought to capture their essence through a series titled Espace fragmenté. “These are fragments of places I see between Beirut, Paris, and my train journeys, transformed into collages,” he adds.

His work shifts between abstraction and representation, where architectural forms are sometimes replaced by abstract shapes, pushing beyond recognizable limits. The exhibition also pays tribute to the architects who shaped Lebanon’s golden age of urban design. “The architecture of that era has always fascinated me. I wanted to convey that admiration through my work.”

Despite the political and economic challenges in Lebanon, Rizkallah remains deeply connected to his homeland and its artistic scene. “Bringing a cultural project to life in Lebanon is difficult—funding is limited, and several cultural centers, especially in the South, have been destroyed. Yet artists continue to create. Personally, when I go through difficult times, art becomes a space for expression and resilience.”

Exhibiting in Lebanon holds special meaning for him. “The streets, the roads—everything happening around me inspires me profoundly. Even after years in France, Beirut remains an endless source of creativity.” This connection is reflected in his use of colors, which elevate a reality often marked by destruction. “I chose vivid shades, particularly deep blues, to transform these raw spaces into something more poetic and imaginary—an invitation for viewers to journey through these lost architectures.”

For Elie Rizkallah, culture plays a crucial role in shaping society. “Artists believe that art can soften the world’s harshness. It mirrors political events, sometimes reflecting global suffering, as seen in exhibitions in Paris. But it also offers a different perspective—one that has the power to transform the way we see the world.”