The 8th edition of BEIRUT ART FAIR will take place from 21 to 24 September. In 2017, the focus will be threefold: to foster a spirit of expansion and renewal, to promote the discovery of young talents, and to unfold a new perspective on the recent history of creation and collecting in Lebanon.
14 new galleries so far
At least 14 new galleries have already confirmed their participation at BEIRUT ART FAIR 2017. Based in Argentina, Belgium, Chile, France, Italy, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, these new galleries are particularly keen to access the long-established art market that the Lebanese capital and its dense and diversified network of local and international collectors offers. This appeal is heightened by Beirut’s creative dynamism and traditional openness to the world – thanks to its global diaspora – and a level of freedom of expression and cultural diversity that is unique in the Middle East. In addition, of the 45 galleries who participated in 2016, 20 have already confirmed their renewed participation in the 2017 edition.
REVEALING
In keeping with the originality and specificity of the Lebanese capital, an increasing number of galleries have also made the choice to participate in the 2017 edition of BEIRUT ART FAIR by presenting their most promising young talents to collectors at the event. The success of the first edition of the REVEALING section in 2016 has prompted and increases in space in 2017, from 280 to 350 meters squared. And compared to this time in 2016, 35% more galleries have applied to the fair’s selection committee in order to showcase their chosen young artists.
OUROUBA, the focal exhibition of BEIRUT ART FAIR 2017
Curated by London-based, Lebanese-Iranian expert Rose Issa, “Ourouba, The Eye of Lebanon” will aim to provide keys for understanding the specificity of the region’s contemporary art and art collectors. It will bring to light the aesthetic, conceptual and socio-political concerns that have surfaced in the Arab world over the last decade, focusing on the recent, complex history linked to the concept of “Arabicity”. It will feature choice loans from major private and institutional collections in Lebanon.