Beirut and the Golden Sixties: Manifesto of Fragility

Beirut and the Golden Sixties explores the 1958 Lebanon crisis and the 1975 outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War through 230 works by 34 artists and 300 archival documents, highlighting how collisions between art, culture, and polarised political ideologies turned the Beirut art scene into a microcosm for larger trans-regional tensions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2023
Publisher: Silvana

Beirut and the Golden Sixties is a captivating exhibition that delves into a turbulent period in Beirut's modernist development, spanning from the 1958 Lebanon crisis to the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975. Through an impressive collection of 230 artworks by 34 artists and over 300 archival documents, the exhibition explores this romanticized era of global influence in Beirut, highlighting how clashes between art, culture, and polarized political ideologies transformed the city's art scene into a microcosm for broader trans-regional tensions.

As a city that is inherently fragile, Beirut continues to evoke a sense of vulnerability and determination, even if only traces of it remain. It serves as a manifesto of resilience, calling forth forms of resistance that are born out of the urgency of the moment and the desire to be remembered.

The artists featured in the exhibition represent a diverse range of backgrounds and styles, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of Beirut during this period. Shafic Abboud, Yvette Achkar, Etel Adnan, Farid Aouad, Dia al-Azzawi, Alfred Basbous, Joseph Basbous, Michel Basbous, Assadour Bezdikian, Huguette Caland, Rafic Charaf, Saloua Raouda Choucair, Georges Doche, Simone Fattal, Laure Ghorayeb, Paul Guiragossian, Farid Haddad, John Hadidian, Jumana Bayazid El-Hussein, Dorothy Salhab Kazemi, Helen El-Khal, Jean Khalifé, Simone Baltaxé Martayan, Ibrahim Marzouk, Jamil Molaeb, Fateh al-Moudarres, Nicolas A. Moufarrege, Mehdi Moutashar, Aref El Rayess, Mahmoud Said, Adel al-Saghir, Hashim Samarchi, Nadia Saikali, Mona Saudi, Juliana Seraphim, Cici Sursock, Khalil Zgaib, Joana Hadjithomas, and Khalil Joreige are just a few of the notable names whose contributions to the Beirut art scene are celebrated in this exhibition.

The artworks themselves span various mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and installation, capturing the essence of the city's vibrant art scene during the Golden Sixties. The exhibition offers a deep insight into the social, political, and cultural dynamics of the time, shedding light on the complex interplay between art, culture, and the larger geopolitical context.

One of the key themes of Beirut and the Golden Sixties is the romanticization of global influence in Beirut. The city was seen as a hub of creativity and cultural exchange, attracting artists and intellectuals from around the world. However, this romanticized vision was not without its challenges. As the exhibition reveals, the clashes between art, culture, and polarized political ideologies often led to tensions and conflicts within the Beirut art scene.

The exhibition also explores the role of art in shaping public perception and political discourse. During the Golden Sixties, artists used their work to express their political beliefs and advocate for social change. They challenged the dominant narratives and ideologies of the time, using their art as a platform for dissent and resistance.

In conclusion, Beirut and the Golden Sixties is a thought-provoking exhibition that offers a unique perspective on a turbulent chapter in Beirut's modernist development. Through its extensive collection of artworks and archival documents, the exhibition explores the complex interplay between art, culture, and politics, highlighting the resilience and determination of the Beirut art scene in the face of adversity. The exhibition serves as a reminder of the power of art to shape public perception and inspire social change, and its impact on the broader trans-regional context is undeniable.

Weight: 1242g
Dimension: 260 x 220 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788836654260