Lebanon’s arts and culture scene is suffering from the escalating economic crisis which began in 2016. Many galleries had to shut down in the past two years. Despite that, diverse Lebanese artists continued to create as art was an expression of their discontent, or during the 2019 October Uprising, an outburst of their hope and aspirations, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to extended shutdowns and forced closures of galleries.
On August 4th 2020, the Beirut Blast at the port of Beirut shattered half of the city. The area is home to the majority of Lebanon’s art galleries, designer studios, cultural and creative spaces. Most of them have lost their creative spaces and all sources of incomes.
Little has been done to support and revive the arts and culture, despite the valuable role the sector can play in times of crisis, as art has the power to unite and to heal.
While artists, galleries and art spaces are keen to develop new art initiatives, they are actively seeking professional support in terms of communication and outreach.
EMPOWER NGO partnered with MIRROS Communication to:
1) respond to the needs of artists, galleries and art spaces to communicate about their art initiatives, and
2) support them in reaching their target audiences to send a message of hope and contribute to the collective healing process, but also, importantly, to promote fundraising initiatives.
Two initiatives we have already supported
Today, I would like to be a Tree
Today, I would like to be a Tree by Lebanese artist Abed Al Kadiri, directed by Marc Mouarkech, attempts to counter the devastation we feel after the Beirut port explosion. The work consists of two murals divided into eighty 100x70cm drawings on cardboard displayed at Galerie Tanit. All proceeds directly benefit BASSMA, an organization committed to rebuilding the homes of Beirutis most affected by the destruction
Hope Takes Shape With Art
Born after the Beirut Port explosion when Le Gray, Beirut had all its façade windows and doors broken and has had to cover it with a metallic fence. This fence came out very black, unlike its interior full of colours and life.
This is where the inspiration to let art give shape to hope originated and then the idea became a reality when Le Gray asked three graffiti artists; Alfred Badr @apocaleps, Spaz @spazuno and Exist Ai @exist_ai to put their creativity into beautiful forms and colours to send a positive message to the world.