Beirut, 24-Nov-2015 – GAIA-heritage launched a two week-long Exhibition titled “Weaving the Sea”, at Villa Audi (Ashrafieh), under the patronage of H.E. the Minister of Culture, Raymond Araygi, as part of the EU-funded MEDNETA Project, to reinforce creativity and the regeneration of Mediterranean neighbourhoods. Representatives of the six participating Mediterranean cities were also present.
“What is so unique about this exhibition is that it is the first of its kind to bring together so many reputable designers, artists and craftsmen from cities around the Mediterranean for greater
multicultural and multidisciplinary collaboration opportunities,” said Georges Zouain, Principal of GAIA-Heritage. “It also offers the possibility to admire the craftsmanship and artistry of these cities in a single venue.”
“Weaving the Sea” Exhibition is set to define Mediterranean design in all its traditions and know-how introducing high-flying fashion designers, ceramists, jewelers, metalworkers, artists, furniture designers, and others.
The participating cities are Athens, Florence, Palermo, Hebron, Tunis, Valencia and Beirut.
“Through this event, we aim to reinforce the market value and visibility of the participating designers and craftsmen, added Zouain. “As well as demonstrate the quality and uniqueness of the design and craft works of South Mediterranean cities.”
Four craftsmen and four designers from each partner city have been matched in order to create collaborations that result in twelve unique objects inspired by the Mediterranean. These include a Ceramist, Nathalie Khayat from Beirut collaborating with a Palestinian Ceramist, Khaled Fakhori; a Product Designer, Tamara Barrage from Beirut collaborating with a Craftsman from Valencia, Vicente Luna Cerveró Valencia, C.B.; a Fashion Designer, Nadya Hazboun from Hebron with a traditional Jebba Maker from Tunis, Taher Chalbi; a Furniture Designer, Mirko Tattarini from
Florence with a Ceramist from Palermo, Giulia Agnello and an Interior Designer, Samia Ben Abdallah from Tunis with a Jewelry Designer from Athens, Harris Vassiliadis and many others.
The Exhibition opens on 24th November at 18:00 and ends on 5th December at 12:00 at Villa Audi, St. Nicholas Street, in Ashrafieh.