CHIYAH ANNEX GALLERY
BEIRUT - Lebanon
30 May 2009
Exhibitors -
Callum Strong (NZ) - Muhammad Ali (SYR) - Mark Henley (NZ) - Ralph Nashawaty (LEB)
An outsiders ability to see beyond Beirut's 'living for the day' mentality, gave impetus to engage the RUSSIAN FROST FARMER's alternate gallery model of exhibiting in temporal / ad hoc gallery spaces.
Surrounded by the perpetual abject ambition of young artist collaborations, Chiyah Annex serves as an example of what can be achieved. Seizing upon an opportune redundant space, an empty apartment in the heart of Chiyah, the Annex show was conceptualized. Through the collective motivation of the exhibitors, over the subsequent 72hr period, the show was realized.
The temporal nature of the show is echoed in its works. Insight is gained in an instant, the longevity of the works themselves, is unnecessary. As the alternate model of 'gallery' intends to dispel a preconception, so to does the work. Through the manipulation of localized material, both physical and intellectual, a second questioning of ones surroundings is promoted.
The 'living for the day' mentality, that casts shrouds over future endeavour, is also negated. Work within the show is a catalyst for further development, in some way engaging a future tense often lost in exhibition of artwork. Finality is not paramount, exploration and experimentation are.
Photo documentation: Ralph Nashawaty
