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The project “Memento Mori: Unfinished Dialogues” includes an exhibition and open roundtable discussions. This artistic creation is organized by Daoud Andos, Ghiwa Tayar, Camille Hajjar and Ghassan Salem as part of the master’s program in Art Criticism and Curatorial Studies at USJ. The event will take place from July 11 to 15, 2024, at the Abroyan Factories in Burj Hammoud.
As part of the master’s program in Art Criticism and Curatorial Studies at USJ, Camille Hajjar, Daoud Andos, Ghiwa Tayar and Ghassan Salem conceived and executed an artistic project. This exhibition, accompanied by open roundtable discussions, is titled “Memento Mori: Unfinished Dialogues.” This participatory event aims to promote an open mindset and catalyze inter-Lebanese discussions on major challenges related to freedom of expression. By introducing nuances where systematic constraints prevail, the project aims to dismantle invisible barriers and foster genuine dialogue. Visitors can directly engage in debates and discussions with each other and with the curatorial team, with topics and suggestions prepared by the exhibition curators.
“Memento Mori: Unfinished Dialogues” seeks to counter the current climate of malaise and uncertainty in Lebanon by inviting artists to explore resilience, transformation and identity. Amid political tensions, this exhibition paves the way for introspection, creativity and socio-political dialogue beyond the censorship and self-censorship imposed on artists. “’Memento Mori: Unfinished Dialogues’ is a reminder of our own mortality,” explain the organizers. “This reminder resonates deeply with the Lebanese, in a context of fear and instability, highlighting the urgency of promoting creative freedom of expression,” they add. For these art students, the project aims to challenge dominant narratives, encouraging a constantly evolving conversation that transcends boundaries and continues the unfinished Lebanese dialogue. Thus, the team tries to create a connection through art among Lebanese people of diverse origins and viewpoints.
Regarding the theme, recent regional events have inspired them, given that “in recent months alone, political discourse has become significantly more polarized,” says Ghassan Salem. Lebanese citizens avoid any dialogue about the past because, he adds, they harbor “painful memories of the 1975-1990 war, which fuel this atmosphere of fear and tension.” Moreover, “the self-censorship by artists – to avoid any negative personal, professional repercussions, or damage to their reputation – contributes to this paralysis affecting part of the country’s artistic and cultural scene,” he continues. The students believe in the success of their project thanks to their diverse and multidisciplinary team: “The diversity of profiles in our curatorial team is somewhat reflected in the choice of exhibiting artists. Indeed, the selected works demonstrate narrative, technical, and stylistic variety,” attests Ghassan Salem. He notes that “this blend of artistic approaches highlights the nuanced spirit of our project, encouraging a more subtle understanding and a more inclusive conversation about the issues shaping our lives. Moreover, it encourages participation in open dialogues on taboo subjects that often provoke contradictory views and behaviors.” Thus, “visitors are invited to sit around a roundtable, a symbol of unity and inclusion, to discuss these crucial yet often avoided topics, thereby fostering nuanced acceptance and understanding within the community.”
Each team member, endowed with a particular specialization, enriches the project with a different added value. Daoud Andos is an architect who graduated from the Lebanese University, Camille Hajjar holds university degrees in Art Commerce and Cultural Management from ICART, Paris, and Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London. Ghiwa Tayar is trained in advertising and is also a photographer, and finally, Ghassan Salem holds a degree in History and International Relations from USJ. However, a shared passion unites the team members: a thirst for art and artistic productions.
As for the curator of “Memento Mori: Unfinished Dialogues,” Nayla Tamraz, she is the founder and coordinator of the master’s program in Art Criticism and Curatorial Studies at Saint Joseph University. Indeed, this veteran theorist combines her knowledge, expertise and philosophy with the artistic projects she supports as a curator, fostering the development of artistic creations at the heart of Lebanon. “As the head of this program, she has supported many projects prepared and produced by her students and former students. The same goes for ‘Memento Mori: Unfinished Dialogues,’” confirms Ghassan Salem.
