"Duo Up!" Exhibition at MACAM
Nestled amidst the backdrop of MACAM's old lime factory and within the museum's walls, collaborative art takes center stage in the "Duo Up!" exhibition, showcasing the talents of Diana Bou Salman, Anthony El Khoury, Ali Merhi, and Salah Missi.
From ceramics to an in-situ installation, the exhibition embodies the creative expressions of four artists who have thrived during their month-long residency at MACAM. Ali Merhi and Salah Missi have seamlessly merged their skills to create the larger-than-life installation "Bey 000," an artistic exploration of the intricate relationship between Beirut and the sea. Meanwhile, Diana Bou Salman and Anthony El Khoury's multidisciplinary artworks harmonize in their shared quest to explore tangible and intangible heritage through urban and domestic environments, as reflected in their project "A Poetical Narrative On Dwelling."
The "Duo Up!" exhibition will be on display until October 1, 2023.
Meet the Artists
Diana Bou Salman x Anthony El Khoury
Introducing Diana Bou Salman and Anthony El Khoury, MACAM's artists-in-residence. They have been chosen as one of the two artist duos to reside and collaborate on a joint project for an entire month. Don’t miss the unveiling of their multidisciplinary piece “A Poetical Narrative on Dwelling” on September 7 at MACAM.
Diana Bou Salman (b.1997, Paris) holds a master's degree in Architecture. She specializes primarily in set design within the art and cultural sphere, collaborating with diverse institutions and museums throughout France. Her expertise extends to leading academic workshops, including notable engagements at the National Superior Architecture School of Paris Malaquais and the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts since 2021. Blending scenography and architecture, Diana explores the poetic relationship between imagery and space. Through videos and sculptures, she creates narratives that delve into intimate spaces and the concept of belonging. Diana crafts imaginative projections by combining different production methods to realize her artistic vision.
Anthony El Khoury is a multidisciplinary architect who explores various themes and theories through experimentation and improvisation with diverse forms and mediums of representation. His work, both personal and academic, finds reason and inspiration in the observation of presents, situations and contexts.
Can you highlight any specific projects or artworks that you developed during your residency? What themes, ideas, or techniques did you explore in your collaborative work?
I primarily worked with clay based on photos of residential buildings. The final result is manifested in several 'clay models.' The choice of raw clay is central to this artwork. This material becomes a representation of the fragility of these buildings, existing somewhere between construction and destruction. As it dries, the clay induces cracks and faults, creating a form of communication or even a kind of force. The artwork becomes the embodiment of deconstruction.
It's this ambiguity that emerges from this work. Is it an ongoing construction site, a rehabilitation, or an inevitable tabula rasa?
What were some of the most significant challenges you faced as a duo during the residency, and how did you overcome them?
Residing and working in the space can be a challenge in itself. But we managed to find a certain balance that allowed us to have our personal working space but also common living spaces. Producing different works was also a challenge since we needed to stay focused on one theme and a common vision, but back-and-forth discussion allowed us to keep our different interpretations complementary to each other.
Ali Merhi x Salah Missi
Introducing Ali Merhi and Salah Missi, MACAM's artists-in-residence. They have been chosen as one of the two artist duos to reside and collaborate on a joint project for an entire month. Don't miss the unveiling of their installation "Bey 000" on September 7 at MACAM.
Ali Merhi (b. 2000) is a Lebanese visual artist based in Beirut. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and Plastic Arts from the Lebanese University in 2022. His artistic portfolio encompasses a variety of forms and mediums, including painting, drawing, and installation. Ali engages with subjects closely tied to Lebanese matters, examining socio-political concerns. Notably, he participated in the Sienna Art Institute residency in Italy in 2022. His work has been showcased in both Lebanon and Italy.
Salah Missi (b. 1992), a Lebanese visual artist, holds a double degree in Architecture (M.Arch) and Fine Arts (BFA). He directs his curiosity toward the Arab world, probing the essence of people’s shared existence, questioning society’s unwritten rules, and exploring the impact of corrupted ruling systems. His work has been exhibited in diverse countries, including Germany, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon. While Salah's primary artistic mediums encompass painting, drawing, and printmaking, his exploration extends beyond these realms as well.
What were some of the most significant challenges you faced as a duo during the residency, and how did you overcome them?
Despite our contrasting personalities – with Salah's penchant for meticulous planning and my inclination towards intuitive and passionate work – we initially grappled with finding a harmonious balance in our collaborative process. However, through concerted effort, we successfully navigated this dynamic and continued our work seamlessly. This dialogue, marked by its challenges, ultimately led to the creation of an unforeseen and remarkable installation.
Were there any unexpected discoveries or creative breakthroughs that occurred during your time in residency?
In any collaboration, it's not uncommon to encounter initial hiccups attributed to differing working methods. However, as time progressed, we gradually discovered our collective rhythm, and our collaborative efforts began to unfold with remarkable smoothness. This transition allowed us to work together more seamlessly, leading to a more efficient work.