The Modern and Contemporary Art Museum – MACAM celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in a characteristically innovative way by transforming a sixty meters long outside wall into a Wall of Contemplation. The wall will feature murals created by local and international graffiti artists who will present each a design based on one Human Right article enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Twelve graffiti designs, each measuring 5mX4m, will be chosen by a jury. The completed wall will be inaugurated in December 2019.
MACAM’s Museum Director Cesar Nammour noted that Beirut has long enjoyed a niche as a hub of vibrant street art, with stencil art and graffiti graduating from tools of political expression in the civil war to platforms for exploring social issues and celebrating pop or artistic culture in more recent years.
“Street art in Beirut is today an elaborate form of artistic expression, going beyond protest and advocacy,” he said. “As a museum dedicated to Lebanese modern and contemporary art, MACAM seeks to give street art its rightful place as a vibrant form of artistic expression by dedicating its largest wall to these artists.”
MACAM launched the Wall of Contemplation during a ceremony held on Saturday December 8, to initiate Human Rights Week (December 10 to 16, 2018) in the presence of H.E Ambassador of Norway Mrs. Lene Lind and Deputy Head of the EU delegation to Lebanon Mrs. Julia Koch de Biolley.
Commenting at the event, Cesar Nammour, said “People will have the opportunity to follow the project’s journey from submission stage to completion, thus, creating a dialogue between the artists and audiences on this exciting manifestation of a subject that remains as relevant today as ever,” he said. “The wall will be available for everyone to view as one of the museum’s landmarks.”
As MACAM is marking the milestone 70th Anniversary, it has designating the year 2019 at the museum as the Year of Human Rights at the museum. Many events and activities will happen under this title.
About the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum- MACAM
Located in a refurbished, disused factory in Alita/Byblos, the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum is the first contemporary art museum in Lebanon dedicated to preserving, documenting and exhibiting art in the country.
As a research and teaching institution, it boasts the richest library and archive of art in Lebanon and offers a unique art educational program for schoolchildren. MACAM prides itself on being a ‘Museum for Everyone’, by championing inclusivity and ensuring accessibility for the special-need persons and the blind. Its periodic shows and permanent exhibition, titled ‘Panorama of Sculpture in Lebanon’, are well worth a visit, while its glorious surrounding scenery provides a welcome reboot for the senses.
Winter Opening hours of MACAM: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 am till 5:00 pm.
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