| 25 Jan 2009 |
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ArtSpace Gallery Showcases Works of Lebanese Artist Joe Kesrouani
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Paintings Draw Attention to Environmental Disaster Facing Humanity
Under the patronage of HE Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Managing Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai's renowned art gallery, ArtSpace, is organising an exhibition of the works of Lebanese artist Joe Kesrouani from 21 January to 12 February 2009 at its gallery in DIFC.
The exhibition titled "No Illusions" showcases works that depict the insidious transformation of our landscapes and its destruction in the name of "progress" and "technological advancement". Drawing attention to the environmental disaster that this has caused, the works ask critical questions about the future of mankind.
The landscapes pictured in Kesrouani's works present a dark vision of humanity's decline and destruction. By re-imagining technology, Joe Kesrouani transforms natural landscapes and visual planes into a futuristic composition. This facet of his work has developed in response to humankind's seeming refusal to acknowledge the permanent damage they are causing to their natural landscapes and the erosion of their sense of values.
Abdulla Bin Sougat, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Lifestyle Group said: "Joe Kesrouani's works are a wonderful artistic statement on the environmental situation on the planet. Technically, creatively and in its innate ability to draw attention to a socially important issue through art, Kesrouani's works are unique. As part of creating a vibrant lifestyle experience within the Dubai International Financial Centre, DIFC Lifestyle Group is keen to host and support exhibitions like these that feature the works of leading international and regional artists. Suchc exhibitions will serve to engage audiences and provide a rich cultural experience within the financial district."
Saeed Mohamed Al Nabouda, the Chief Projects Officer of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority said: "The exhibition "No Illusions" is an example of some of the finest contemporary art in the region. The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is keen to support events like these that bring the best of regional art to Dubai. Exhibition such this contribute towards realising our mission of developing Dubai into a leading global hub for art and culture. The unique nature of Joe Kesrouani's works will also serve to promote regional artists and raise the appreciation of contemporary art both in Dubai and in the region."
Kesrouani's paintings and photographs represent two levels of lived experience. The subjects of his dramatic, high-contrast black-and-white photographs loom large on his prints with visceral, extroverted expressions that take patience, intimacy and will to elicit. His paintings, on the other hand, blend abstraction and figuration to convey more introverted, complex, emotionally probing narratives. There are stories buried in the layers of paint in each of his canvases. In the construction of images, Kesrouani's architectural training plays into both his photographs and paintings. On occasion, he brings a disc jockey's logic into his work as well - mounting an exhibition of photographs and then, six months later, "remixing" those works in a show of paintings that draw on the original photographs for physical support and as a conceptual platform.
Though Kesrouani is quintessentially Beiruti, his work allows no easy classification in terms of Arab or Middle Eastern representation. His work actively breaks clichés, rather than reinforcing them. As such, the world created by Kesrouani's photographs and paintings is a world entirely of his own imagination. It is a world nearly bursting at its seams with pleasure and danger alike, where everything goes and nothing is exactly as it seems.
Kesrouani's paintings take mundane objects, which are otherwise undervalued, and transforms them into images of beauty and possibility. In essence, it is a mirror of the way we must transform our vision of beauty, utility, imagination, and alter our past assumptions. The idea of using found objects is significant to him not only as a reference to humanity's waste and the importance of recycling, but also to stimulate the imagination and challenge perceptions.
Artspace is organising this exhibition in collaboration with the Welfare Association (www.welfare-association.org). a leading Palestinian non-governmental development organisation. Donation boxes will be placed around the gallery for visitors to contribute towards aid in Palestine. Visitors can also purchase "Gaza Cupcakes" at a special stand set up by Sugar Daddy Cupcakes. All proceeds from the sale of artworks as well as cupcakes and other donations will be given to charity for Gaza.
For further information and high res images, and to schedule interviews, please contact Sossy on the following email: sossy@artspace-dubai.com, or call +9714 3230820.
Welfare Association
As a leading Palestinian non-governmental development organization, the Welfare Association is dedicated to making a distinguished contribution towards furthering the progress of the Palestinians, preserving their heritage and identity, supporting their living culture and building civil society. It aims to achieve these goals by methodically identifying Palestinian needs and priorities and establishing sound mechanisms to maximize benefits from the available funding resources." Welfare Association is a private, non-profit foundation established in Geneva in 1983 to support Palestinian society in sustainable development. It has become better known in Palestine and the Arab region by its Arabic name, Ta'awoun, meaning "cooperation. WA beneficiaries are the more than 4 million Palestinians who are served by Palestinian non-governmental organizations, community institutions and charitable organizations in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Galilee, Jaffa, Akka, Nazareth and Naqab, as well as in refugee camps in Lebanon. WA works by strengthening local organizations, and assisting them in improving their services to the community and in promoting Palestinian culture, heritage and identity.
www.welfare-association.org
Artspace Gallery
Launched in May 2003 at the Fairmont Dubai, Artspace Gallery invited Dubai and the region to acquaint themselves to Contemporary Middle Eastern Art. Having dedicated the past five years to promoting and establishing Contemporary Middle Eastern artists in the region, Artspace Gallery now boast a portfolio of over 20 artists, and are now located at the art district at The Gate Village, DIFC.
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About the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is mandated to create a rich environment for Emirati heritage, visual arts, theatre, music, literature and poetry in order to further position Dubai as a vibrant, Arabian global city for the arts. The Authority was recently launched in March 2008 under the directive of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. The Authority operates under the chairmanship of HH Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
About DIFC
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is an onshore hub for global finance. It bridges the time gap between the financial centres of Hong Kong and London and services a region with the largest untapped emerging market for financial services. In just four years, over 750 firms have registered at DIFC. They operate in an open environment complemented with world-class regulations and standards. DIFC offers its member institutions incentives such as 100 per cent foreign ownership, zero tax on income and profits and no restrictions on foreign exchange. In addition their business benefits from modern infrastructure, operational support and business continuity facilities of uncompromisingly high standards.
For more information and location:
Visit www.artspace-dubai.com
Call +9714 3230820
Media enquiries:
Amira Abdulla
Director- Regional Public Relations
Dubai International Financial Centre
Tel: +971 4 362 2433
E-mail: amira.abdulla@difc.ae
Shaima Al Zarouni
Assistant PR Manager
Dubai International Financial Centre
Tel: +971 4 362 2432
E-mail: shaima.alzarouni@difc.ae
Iman Ahmad
Regional Media Relations Manager
Dubai International Financial Centre
Tel: +971 50 2058021
E-mail: iman.ahmad@difc.ae
© Press Release 2009
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