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Within the splendid landscape of Byblos, an international artists’ residency is in full swing. This initiative, curated by Dr. Tony Karam, takes place from July 1 until July 9, 2023, at the Ahiram Hotel.
July’s blue skies and warm sun inspires painting brushes in a country that is rising from the ashes. From these works, a joint exhibition of artists will take place at the Fine Arts building of LAU, Beirut campus, on July 10. At the same location, a piano concert by Dr. Tony Karam will also fill the air with magical rhymes on July 10 at 6 p.m. Zeina Nader, organizer and painter, is dedicated to the artists’ residency and participates in it as well. She enthusiastically shares this experience.
How was this initiative born ?
As part of the exhibition series initiated by Dean Dr. Cathia Jenainati this year at the Sheikh Zayed Gallery of LAU, Dr. Tony Karam, the project curator, wanted to highlight this work with an international artistic residency. Its aim is to strengthen the bonds and exchanges between Lebanese and foreign artists and to create a final exhibition with a piano concert to crown the entire residency program. It is also a way to reopen artistic borderlines with the outside world and showcase the strength of art in Lebanon.
What criteria was the artists’ selection based on?
The artists were carefully selected based on their artistic abilities, motivation, CVs, and, most importantly, their desire to visit the country and integrate with Lebanese artists. During this stay, work is a priority, but we have made sure that our guests would be greeted with the legendary Lebanese hospitality. To make their stay even more enjoyable, they are being hosted in the picturesque Ahiram Hotel, with a view of and access to the sea, a few steps away from the citadel and the tourist quarter of Byblos. Sightseeing trips are planned, as well as visits from several Lebanese artists who would like to meet them. As for the painting materials, they have been generously provided by Diabco Stationary.
The artists are Rosario D’Espinay Saint-Luc, a Franco-Colombian artist from the south of France, Adam Balogh, a Hungarian artist from Budapest, Nicole Schraner, a Swiss artist from Basel, and Milly Martionou, a Greek artist from Athens. These four painters are already established and have a repertoire of exhibitions around the world. I personally know these four painters with whom I have often participated in exhibitions in Europe and artistic residencies in Italy and France. I keep memories of their professionalism, artistic talents, and sense of friendship. It was a dream to one day be able to host them here, and now, this dream is coming true. I will be present in the residency myself, along with my friends Magali Katra and Wissam Melhem.
What projects will emerge from this residency?
The artistic residency will come to an end after 10 days of work and exchanges. An exhibition at the Sheikh Zayed Gallery of LAU will be the culmination of the residency in the afternoon of Monday, July 10. A piano concert by Dr. Tony Karam will also be held on the same day at the Gulbenkian Amphitheater in the Safadi Building.
These two events will be the conclusion of the entire artistic project that took place this year at LAU. It will also be the highlight of the residency. On the longer term, other artistic projects are already being implemented in order to keep this beautiful cultural and artistic initiative going.
Marie-Christine Tayah
Instagram : @mariechristine.tayah