HOPE FOR THE FUTURE: ARTHAUS ‘BEIRUT YEAR ZERO’
Hope for the Future: Arthaus Beirut Exhibition, ‘Beirut Year Zero’ is uniting Artists in Support of the Lebanese Red Cross
The boutique hotel, Arthaus Beirut, was scheduled to open on 4th August, the day of the tragic explosion in Beirut which killed 200 people, left 6,500 injured, 300,000 homeless and more than $10bn in property damage. Driven by a deep sense of responsibility to help rebuild the city, which is so rich in culture, the owners of Arthaus Beirut, Nabil and Zoe Debs have brought together over 40 artists for an exhibition, ‘Beirut Year Zero’. The artwork will be exhibited in the hotel from the 29th September 2020. The lots will then be sold by a leading auction house for both the artists and the Lebanese Red Cross later this year, to raise much needed funds.
The title of the exhibition ‘Beirut Year Zero’ is borrowed from Rossellini’s 1948 film, “Germany Year Zero”, a portrait of an obliterated Berlin seen through the eyes of the ‘real people’ in a failed state. The Social-Realist movement of the time corresponds perfectly to the current reality in Beirut post economic crisis, Covid19 pandemic and the devastating explosion. There has been a tremendous response from supporting artists both local and international, who have pledged pieces for the collective exhibition in support of the Lebanese people.
The exhibition will feature sculptures, paintings, installations, photographs, engravings, illustrations, revolution street art, music, texts and poetry.Despite the predominance of visual art, music will also be of importance:
On the opening night, there will be a string quartet concert given by Beirut Chant and later on a short recital by the world class pianist Doctor Antoine Karam. A surgeon at CMC Hospital in Hamra Beirut, Dr. Karam has been working day and night since the explosion to help the thousands who have been wounded. World class composer and artist Zad Moultaka has written an original music composition to accompany his paintings and light installation.
In the two days following the opening night and in coordination with Arthaus, Gouraud Street will be closed to circulation to allow a street exhibition and street concerts by ‘Gemmayze Stairs’, with the aim of bringing life and hope to the neighbourhood.
The exhibition will remain open to the general public free of charge for a defined period to benefit the community.
Nabil Debs comments “We are dedicated to helping the local community rebuild the city. The scale of destruction in Beirut is unimaginable, the exhibition is a beacon of solidarity and co-operation in the face of the disaster. It pays homage to the city’s people, its rich culture and its vibrant creative community.”
Located in the heart of one of the city’s most affected neighbourhoods, Gemmayze, Arthaus Beirut suffered significant damage. In the face of adversity, the hotel is under reconstruction with a planned re-opening date later this year. Once the kitchens are fully operational, the team are planning to distribute meals each day to the citizens who have lost their homes.
A project of passion, art collectors Nabil and Zoe Debs have been working to turn their 18th Century ancestral home in to a 25- room boutique hotel. Art is the cornerstone of Arthaus Beirut, which is a cultural hideaway in the city for artists and intellectuals from all disciplines in the world. A place where artists, thinkers, designers and artisans can showcase, debate, exhibit or meet like-minded souls.
The auction house for the charity auction is to be announced, 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Lebanese Red Cross and 50% will be given to the participating artists in support of the creative community.
