Beirut, September 15th, 2015 –Italian watchmaker Officine Panerai announces its strategic partnership with the third edition of Beirut Art Week scheduled from 15th to 22nd September at Solidere Dowtown Beirut.
Beirut Art Week allows Beirut to live under the rhythm of Contemporary Art by inviting artists to express themselves in the urban landscape of the capital. Every year, the organizers present a new itinerary “outside the walls” presenting monumental artworks and installations exhibited on the streets and in the shops of Beirut Central District.
This year, through these art-filled moments of the week, an ‘art bench’ sculpture designed by Lebanese artist Nabil Helou, will be exhibited for the first time at the Panerai Boutique in Beirut Souks. Born in Lebanon in 1969, Nabil Helou graduated in sculpture and has a Masters in Visual Art from the Lebanese Academy of Fine arts ALBA with a specialization in sculpture and in virtual sculpture from L’Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Art de Cergy ENSAC, France. He holds numerous awards for his work from international competitions and biennales. He is also the designer of several trophiessuch as The Golden Murex and Gibran Khalil Gibran trophy. Helou’s monumental sculptures were exhibited in many public spaces in Lebanon and internationally.
The Bench is considered as public art sculpture – a first of its kind sculpture which allows people to sit on it without any sensor-ship. This iconic bench sculpture will be exhibited just outside the Panerai boutique alongside miniatures pieces displayed on the boutique’s window facade.
Beirut Art Week’sitinerary comprises of around twenty interactive projects combining installations, sculptures, and performances that will take shape throughout Beirut’s symbolic landmarks such as Martyr’s Square, Beirut Souks, Zaitunay Bay, Saifi Villge and Harbour Square.
Commenting on Officine Panerai’s participation at Beirut Art Week, Milvin George, Panerai’s Regional Managing Director said, “We are very happy to partner with BAW committee for the 2nd year in a row. Panerai watches are well known for their formidable blend of Italian design and Swiss technology. A brand born in Florence, Panerai has always supported art and cultural activities in many traditions all around the world. Beirut Art Week is an emerging, and upcoming art platform in the region and we are excited to be collaborating with this eclectic platform.. Lebanon is and has always been the cultural and intellectual capital of the Arab worldenriched with deep rooted traditional patrimonies such as literature, music, food & architecture. We are proud to promote the city’s emerging artists and to showcase our solidarity with the Lebanese artistic scene”.
This itinerary is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism, Beirut Municipality and Solidere.