BEIRUT ART CENTER

About the event

On the occasion of the exhibition ”The Road to Peace: Paintings in Times of War, 1975-1991”, which presents several artistic experiences related to the traumatisms of the Lebanese civil war produced by Lebanese artists, BAC has programmed a series of events reflecting on the war and providing a platform for discussion on this subject.

The program includes films produced during the time of war:
“The Misfortunes of Some” by Omar Amiralay; a documentary where the lived quotidian of the civil war is staged with a tragi-comic tone to reflect on the collective madness.
“Absence” by Mohammad Soueid; a film that reflects on death and loss through the testimonies of four persons.
“Because the Roots Will Not Die” by Nabeeha Lotfy, in its first public screening in Lebanon, is a unique and powerful documentary that follows the life of Palestinians before and during the tragedy of Tal el Zaatar.

In addition to the films, BAC has programmed the following events:
A round table surrounding the exhibition with Saleh Barakat (the curator of the exhibition) & Kirsten Scheid (anthropologist and art historian), moderated by Kristine Khouri.
A talk by Dr Ahmad Beydoun entitled “Lebanon: Stages Of Civil Conflict And The Power Of Arbitration”. An insightful socio-political analysis on the history of sectarianism and its consequences in Lebanon.
A talk by Jonah Schulhofer-Wohl entitled “Lives at War”. Based on photographs, Schulhofer-Wohl will examine and reflect on the private narratives and memories of the war in Lebanon retained by former combatants.

Wednesday June 17, 2009
8 pm : THE MISFORTUNES OF SOME
Omar Amiralay
1982. Color. 52’. Arabic with French & English subtitles

Break: 15’

9.15 pm: ABSENCE
Mohammad Soueid 
1990. Color. 45’. Arabic with English subtitles
The screening will be followed by a Q&A  with the director.

Wednesday June 24, 2009 at 8 pm
THE LIVES OF ARTWORKS IN AND AFTER WAR  
Round table with Saleh Barakat (curator of the exhibition) & Kirsten Scheid (anthropologist and art historian).
Moderator: Kristine Khouri  
Language: English

Wednesday July 1, 2009 at 8 pm     
LEBANON: STAGES OF CIVIL CONFLICT
AND THE POWER OF ARBITRATION
Lecture by Dr. Ahmad Beydoun
Language: Arabic

Wednesday July 8, 2009 at 8 pm
 LIVES AT WAR
Lecture by Jonah Schulhofer-Wohl
Language: Arabic

Wednesday July 15, 2009 at 8 pm     
BECAUSE THE ROOTS WILL NOT DIE 
Nabeeha Lotfy     
1977. Black and White. 54’. Arabic

Beirut Art Center would like to thank the participants in the program as well as those who have assisted in its production, especially Akram Zaatari, the Arab Image Foundation, Hazem Saghieh, The Gate, Eliane Raheb, Hassan Na'mani, Souraya Baghdadi, Naja Achkar, Rana Eid/Db Studios, and Michele Tyan/Djinn House.