Art Responding to a Nation in Crisis
February 04 at 7:00 p.m. in Beirut / 12:00 p.m. in New YorkOnline
Lebanese artists have succeeded over the past generation through dogged persistence, continuing to create, support each other, raise money, and build a world class ecosystem to rival anywhere else. But today’s challenges are as grave as any faced in the past, with an economic meltdown, devastating explosion, and pandemic putting all this work in peril.
On February 4, Sultan Qassemi, columnist and researcher, joins artists Lamia Joreige, co-founder of the Beirut Art Center, and Hanibal Srouji, Chair of the Department of Art & Design at LAU, to talk about the state of the arts in Lebanon. Some of the questions they will cover include progress achieved before the current crisis, what is currently at stake, and what it will take to keep Lebanon’s arts community on the map. This conversation is hosted by LAU in New York and will also touch on how artists have been in solidarity with Lebanese activists, and with each other, and what this crisis means for young Lebanese artists and arts education in the country moving forward. As Lebanon recovers, what role – if any – can the arts play?
This event takes place two weeks before the start of LAU’s own arts auction, which will feature some of the best work Lebanon and LAU grads have to offer, all in support of LAU’s Emergency Student Financial Aid Fund. We hope you join us for this enlightening conversation and upcoming auction!