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The opening of the exhibition Spectrum of Life: Perceptions by Sari el-Khazen, organized by BEYxART as part of Beirut Art Days, will take place on Friday, July 5, from 6 PM to 9 PM at Art Apart in Gemmayzé. Curated by Ranine el-Homsi, this exhibition will continue until July 15.

Sari el-Khazen, a Lebanese architect, interior designer, artist, TV host, and university professor, gained recognition by designing the Skybar in Beirut, which earned him international acclaim and numerous awards. Despite his success in redefining commercial interiors in Lebanon and his international projects in Qatar, Ghana, Egypt, and Abu Dhabi, Sari expresses his inner turmoil through his art. His paintings explore deep themes such as sex, religion, and freedom, combining architectural precision and artistic expression to reveal the complexity of the human soul.

A self-taught artist, Sari uses acrylic, ink, and oil to create personal and unique works, blending post-impressionism and symbolism. His work has been exhibited at Art Dubai, Beirut Art Fair, and Art Basel Miami.

Spectrum of Life: Perceptions by Sari el-Khazen is a solo exhibition presenting new works by the artist, mainly acrylic paintings on canvas and drawings on paper created with various types of pens, as well as a short animated video created from his artwork. The exhibition takes place on two floors of a traditional Lebanese building in a new art and culture space called Art Apart in Gemmayzé, Beirut.

Through his work, the artist critiques common societal issues, psychological problems, and illusory dreams. Sometimes, his brush captures the natural beauty of flowers and birds in their various forms, immersing us in the simple wonders and beauty of life. A stark contrast is evident in many of his works, reflecting the spectrum of life, including its diverse perceptions and the profound questions we have about its mysteries.

By visiting the exhibition, the public moves from a surreal world to the raw reality of our daily lives, transported to a dreamlike and fantastical dimension by the bold and inspiring colors of the works. The artist is distinguished by his large paintings, but the precision of the drawings and the numerous details are equally remarkable, whether viewed up close or from a distance on the canvas surface.

Sari el-Khazen’s works, rich in symbolism and depth, offer multiple perspectives of interpretation. The artist will unveil the different facets of his work on two occasions: during the opening of the exhibition on Friday, July 5, from 7 PM to 9 PM, and during the guided tour the following day, Saturday, July 6, at 11 AM. These events will be held in the presence of Ranine el-Homsi, the exhibition curator, who will provide additional insight into the artist’s fascinating creations.

A multi-talented artist, Sari el-Khazen is an eclectic architect, painter, poet, and animal protector. His artistic and philosophical quest seeks to reveal the simple, spiritual, and profound truths of daily life. His art uses forms derived from architecture to define an extraordinary space and represents figures and images from our culture and daily routines to tell contemporary fables. These fables sometimes refer to mythological stories, other times to popular sayings, all attempting to reveal raw perceptions, personal to his art and relevant to many. Sari’s art is like a portal to many worlds, all rooted in our current world.

Spectrum of Life: Perceptions by Sari el-Khazen is to be discovered from July 5 to 15, every day at Art Apart in Gemmayzé, Beirut.

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