Sharjah Art Foundation

March Meeting 2011

3-Day Cultural Symposium on ongoing and future art and cultural initiatives by professionals from across the globe

To Venice and Back... Again

March Meeting 2011
To Venice and Back... Again
Georges H. Rabbath

To Venice and Back... Again Image

Overview

The Lebanese pavilion at the 54th Venice Biennial in 2011, entitled Lebanon as a State of Mind, was still in its planning phase at the time of March Meeting 2011. At that point, 11 artists, including 2 collectives, had been confirmed. The curator of the project, George Rabbath, came to Sharjah and presented his approach to the participation in Venice; his interest lay in the notion of a legacy that is neither about consecrating or representing an artist, and with a specific focus on the influence of new media in the political representation of art.

Presentation Proposal

In June 2011, Lebanon will be participating in the Venice Biennale for the second time in its history after an absence in 2009. The organisational team is planning a framework, the main goal of which is to reach a wider audience in Lebanon through activities and events beginning in January 2011 in Lebanon and leading up to the Biennale opening in June. New media and mobile technology solutions will be used to create interactive collaborative spaces for art production and viewing. Human and logistical resources are needed for better communication and optimal new media solutions.

Georges H. Rabbath

G. H. Rabbath (b. 1971) is a writer and Associate Professor in Human Sciences based in Beirut. In 2009 he published Can One Man Save the (Art) World (Beirut). In 2010 he curated Mahmoud Obaidi’s solo exhibition at Art Dubai and published Mr Obaidi and the Fair Skies® Corporation (Beirut). He curated the Lebanese Pavilion at the 54th Venice Biennale in 2011 and is currently working on his next book Ten Days.

To Venice and Back... Again