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A promising re-opening after 3 years of reconstruction following Beirut harbour 2020 blast was possible thanks to ALIPH, the international foundation for heritage protection in conflict zones , UNESCO and Italian and French culture ministries.
The museum, a splendid venitian-ottoman style architecture palace dating early 20th century was willed by Nicolas Sursock its previous owner to the Beirut municipality in 1952 . The palace had been hosting official visitors such as Iran Shah, Iraki and Saoudi kings prior to turning into museum in 1961.
Its annual ´Salon d’automne’ has granted a great visibility window for Lebanese confirmed and emerging artists.
It’s 2023 re-opening offers various aspects of the local cultural and historical scene through a full coverage of its history:
-1st exhibition ´Je suis inculte’ revisits main features of artists showcased during previous Salon d’Automne
– ´Beyond ruptures offers reminiscent moments of the palace history opened by Nicolas Sursock portrait by Van Dongen . A deep dive into Beirut’s history highlighting its moments through a cultural and artistic approach
-A ´Recollection’ corner is dedicated to Beirut reconstruction : a video offered by Iconem, an agency specialised in 3D digital reconstruction studies at the service of heritage sites at risk commissioned by UNESCO.
Reminiscence of a Moving City’s Many Stories explores a parallel between Beirut’s past and present .
-‘Earthly Praxis ´showcases young generation artists works
-‘Ejecta’, a final immersive session invites the visitor to live through the unforgettable emotional moments of August 4th blast images on the music of 17th century French composer Marc Antoine Charpentier.
The invitation of the young new curator Karina El Helou to visit the only Beirut contemporary art museum is a must to help understand the high cultural and artistic proliferation factor of Beirut city.