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The Kadisha Valley welcomes KDSHA, a summer event blending contemporary art and heritage in the enchanting setting of Villa Chamoun in Hasroun, northern Lebanon.
Nestled in the heart of the majestic Kadisha Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Villa Chamoun in Hasroun serves as the backdrop for KDSHA, an annual event dedicated to contemporary art. This summer event, initiated by Rony Zibara, owner of Villa Chamoun, aims to generate artistic narratives around contemporary themes while paying homage to the legacy of Gibran Khalil Gibran, the illustrious Lebanese poet and artist.
One of the highlights of KDSHA is the unveiling of the annual installation of Villa Chamoun’s pool, recognized as one of the largest canvases in the world. For this edition, Venezuelan artist Daniel Rey, based in London, was chosen to create “Alchemical Splash,” a large-scale work transforming the pool into an enigmatic underwater dreamscape. This installation invites viewers to reflect on themes of escape and our complex relationship with the built environment.
In parallel, the exhibition “MASHAWIR” (Walks), curated by Rania Tabbara in collaboration with Crème Fraîche, London, presents the works of three talented artists: Ghassan Zard, Samar Mogharbel and Hady Sy. Their 17 creations enliven the gardens of Villa Chamoun, offering the public a plural and inspiring artistic experience.
Ghassan Zard presents his “Wandering Turtles,” three traveling turtles from a group of 70, as part of his itinerant exhibition across Lebanon. These imposing creatures, symbols of wisdom and tranquility, find particular resonance in the serene Kadisha Valley, a place of pilgrimage and devotion. Through his works “Echoes of Nature”, Zard explores the delicate balance between nature and human interventions, breathing new life into vanished trees.
Samar Mogharbel, on the other hand, blends clay and gravity in her trilogy “The Unbearable Lightness of Sculptures,” embodying a dance of resistance and surrender between matter and force. Her works evoke the inherent harmony between physical laws and the artistic quest for the creation of forms.
Finally, Hady Sy bridges humanity and numbers through his project “It’s a Numbers Game.” His four steel sculptures infuse vitality into numbers, endowing them with human, animal and botanical characteristics to confront the dehumanization induced by crises and the relentless pursuit of wealth.
Villa Chamoun, built in 1965 and recently renovated with respect to its history, offers an enchanting setting for this event. The meticulous restoration of this residence brought together local artisans and renowned designers, creating a sustainable micro-economy celebrating traditional know-how.
KDSHA, which continues until October 2, 2024, is intended as a place for exchanges and reflections on the role of contemporary art in our complex world. By anchoring itself in the inspiring landscape of northern Lebanon, this event offers a unique artistic experience, between heritage and modernity, inviting an introspective journey to the heart of contemporary creation.
