DiGen Art, the first digital art gallery in Lebanon, is set to open its doors on Thursday, December 28, at 5:00 PM. Located in Hamra, this pioneering establishment marks a significant milestone in the region’s cultural landscape.
DiGen Art gallery’s first exhibition, spanning from January to March 2024, serves as a comprehensive introduction to the realm of digital art. DiGen Art distinguishes itself as the first gallery in Lebanon dedicated to advocating for this movement and its creators. DiGen Art, an acronym for “Digitally Generated Art,” encapsulates the gallery’s primary focus. This nomenclature also subtly alludes to the crypto culture, where traders, known colloquially as “DeGens” (short for “degenerates”), are celebrated for their adventurous, non-conformist ethos. The gallery’s mission is unequivocal: to be a pivotal force in nurturing the digital art movement within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This entails delving into the history of digital art, disseminating knowledge to the public, and promoting the work of emerging artists.
DiGen Art is deeply intrigued by the synergy between art and technology. The gallery showcases a diverse array of digital art forms, including digital illustrations and animations, creative coding, Artificial Intelligence art (AI art), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and various other innovative technological applications. Recognizing MENA’s profound cultural legacy, particularly its early contributions to algorithmic art practices, DiGen Art is committed to honoring this heritage. The gallery aims to ensure that the region plays an integral role in the ongoing digital revolution. More than just an exhibition space, the Beirut flagship location of DiGen Art functions as a dynamic hub for creativity. Here, cutting-edge technologies are explored, a comprehensive library of pertinent literature is maintained, and a series of stimulating events such as hackathons, lectures and workshops are hosted.
In an increasingly digital world, the gallery recognizes digital art as a lens through which digital identities are expressed and understood. This art form mirrors individual interests, values and beliefs, manifesting through the digital assets one accumulates. DiGen Art firmly believes that this transformative trend will reshape the art world in the foreseeable future and is resolute in leading this avant-garde movement. Alex Rayes and Camille Hajjar, the co-founders of DiGen Art, articulate this vision with clarity and conviction, underscoring their commitment to spearheading this revolutionary change in the art world.
