Kalim Bechara, a young musician, art dealer and collector from Lebanon, has shared his unconditional, almost obsessive, love for both composition and art collecting. In a passionate endeavor, he explains how he contributes to the promotion of Arab culture and aesthetics while considering art as an investment. Kalim is both highly instinctive and methodical, as he immerses himself in the emotions evoked by artworks while maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective through the prism of investment. Kalim’s dedication to the art world led him to pursue a degree from Sotheby’s.
An intriguing interview with the director of Kalim Art Space Gallery, which was established in 2021 in Hamra, discusses the art of building a million-dollar collection.
Kalim’s approach to selecting the artworks he acquires is based on the complementarity and simultaneity of pathos and praxis. While he acknowledges the central role of his emotions, he goes beyond them to reflect rationally, viewing art as an investment rather than a mrere passion. His studies and encounters with mentors in art collection and curation have nourished this pragmatic aspect and allowed him to refine his selection method.
An important aspect of Kalim’s ambition is his collaboration with Amna al Noweis, a public figure and art consultant in the Gulf, who serves as a godmother-like figure, enabling him to truly permeate the art market in the region. Their close collaboration aims to place Arab art at the forefront, acting as a form of artistic lobby. Unlike last year, Kalim’s focus on Lebanese art has shifted toward broader Arab art. According to his perspective, in about a decade, Arab art will attain a significantly different position in terms of market value and artistic importance. The process has already begun, and Kalim intends to ride the wave he calls the “Arab cultural movement,” which he believes witnessed a significant surge in 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic. For example, the works of Etel Adnan, a Lebanese artist who passed away in 2021, have reached unprecedented value in the Arab world, with pieces fetching as much as $400.000. These artworks are now exhibited in renowned international museums like the Guggenheim.
This is a clear indicator of the potential inherent to Arab artists. According to Kalim, the Arab world is poised to embrace this development and invest in Arab art with the same confidence and pride one would have while acquiring a Picasso. He observes a dual progression in the market, encompassing materialistic and deeply cultural dimensions, as they “both rise together”. People are becoming more knowledgeable about Arab art and its importance, leading to a simultaneous exponential growth in its market value.
The collection subsequently grew with the establishment of the gallery, thanks to the revenue it generated. Kalim’s recipe for success is simple: paying attention to each and every step of the process — what to buy, when to buy, how to buy, at what price, when to sell and what to retain. He also surrounds himself with a reliable circle of advisors.
In recent years, despite multiple obstacles and crises in Lebanon, Kalim recognized the potential to take his collection to the next level and showcase his entrepreneurial spirit. Kalim Art Space goes beyond the achievements made in Egypt with ArtCairo, as it seeks to create a physical space for artists to exchange ideas instead of solely serving as an exhibition venue where a portion of artworks is showcased. Kalim Art Space is a vibrant cultural hub.
The gallery aims to serve as a vehicle for promoting Arab artists, especially young artists and collectors. For Kalim, providing opportunities to emerging artists goes hand in hand with encouraging collectors. His goal is to alleviate apprehensions about buying and selling, and above all, eliminate the assumption that Arab art is not a secure investment. He offers an introduction to the dynamic art market, encouraging collectors to take the plunge. He also acts as a consultant for his clients, directly connecting them with artists. Creating a thriving community is one of Kalim’s core objectives.
First, an investor can derive daily enjoyment from their art acquisition. Moreover, the value of a well-chosen and advised artwork can increase to unparalleled levels compared to any financial product or even cryptocurrencies. In the worst-case scenario, it remains stable. Therefore, Kalim nurtures his partnerships and establishes a reciprocal advisory system to enable members of the collector and art connoisseur community to reap benefits in this regard. His almost systematic personal acquisition of artworks from the artists he advises represents a notable guarantee.
Beyond its intrinsic value, the importance of Arab art lies in the opportunity it provides for buyers in the region to culturally identify with the artwork, expressing shared life experiences or events. Kalim highlights the existence of a cultural unity in Arab art, which undoubtedly fosters profound mutual understanding, as he shows dedication to directly engaging in this highly promising “Arab market.”
Kalim’s future projections include expanding the gallery and client base in Beirut while enriching his personal collection with high-end pieces. In the short term, the collector envisions collaborations with museums and cultural organisations in the region.
By Lea Samara
