ePaper
Subscribe
Newsletters
Search
Profile
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Vermeer
Adventures with Van Gogh
Russia-Ukraine war
Subscribe
ePaper
Newsletters
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Vermeer
Adventures with Van Gogh
Russia-Ukraine war
Art market
preview

Lebanon’s history revealed in photo show at Beirut Art Fair

Across Boundaries is an exhibition of around 100 works of Lebanese photography from 30 collections

Tim Cornwell
19 September 2018
Share
Manoug Alemian: Bacchus Temple at night, 1963 Photographic Collections of the Archives and  Special Collections, AUB Libraries

Manoug Alemian: Bacchus Temple at night, 1963 Photographic Collections of the Archives and Special Collections, AUB Libraries

“My goal is to bring to the public what private collectors are buying in Lebanese photography,” Tarek Nahas says. The lawyer and collector organised Beirut Art Fair’s Across Boundaries, an exhibition of around 100 works of Lebanese photography from 30 collections, revealing a tradition that began in the early 20th century with foreign amateur photographers.

Lebanon’s first photographic studios were often run by Armenian traders, and some of its most iconic imagery was captured by visitors, as evidenced in Across Boundaries. On loan for the first time are works by Manoug Alemian, the Syrian mid-century photographer who captured Lebanon’s cedar forests and ancient ports. Photojournalism comes to the fore in the exhibition, chronicling the civil war that ravaged the country from 1975 to 1990. Works by contemporary favourites include Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, Walid Raad and Ziad Antar.

Younger collectors, however, are scouring Beirut’s flea markets for early amateur photography. Nahas says they are building substantial collections that preserve “the heritage of Lebanon”, aided by relatively low prices in this field, although that is changing. “Ten years ago, if I was to purchase a work by Fouad Elkoury, one of his very important works was $3,000,” Nahas says, adding that increased demand has pushed the price to $25,000 today.

• Beirut Art Fair, Seaside Arena, Beirut, 20-23 September

Art marketArt fairsFairsPhotographyBeirut Art FairBeirutLebanon
Share
Subscribe to The Art Newspaper’s digital newsletter for your daily digest of essential news, views and analysis from the international art world delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter sign-up
Information
About
Contact
Cookie policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions
Advertise
Sister Papers
Sponsorship policy
Follow us
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
© The Art Newspaper