Commercialtography in Lebanon

We have been noticing a rising ‘cultural movement’ in our society, the young generation in particular; everyone who owns a camera has become a photographer,  everyone who owns a brush has become a painter and everyone owns a pen is now a writer.

I am very proud of Beirut, the city of Art. Beirut, that is attracting Arabs artists and specially Syrians and Iraqians. Of course it’s because of how much the artist in Lebanon is appreciated.

On this occasion, and in the name of all Lebanese artists, let me thank the syndicate of Art, which stays up to ensure the artists needs and of course maintain a respectable artistic level. Right now, this syndicate is working in collaboration with all the Lebanese banks, to offer loans for everyone who want to buy cameras and art materials. In this way every Lebanese citizen will be an artist.

Meanwhile and when visiting all the exhibitions in the town, we are missing the Lebanese artists. Not only IS are invading us, the Syrians artists too, are invading our galleries.

90% (?? I don’t think so) of the exhibitions in Lebanon are exposing the artworks of Syrians artists.
You think it’s unfair, actually not. Syrian contemporary art is more developed, organized and supervised.

Back to our subject, why are Lebanese media exposing commercial artists?! We cannot blame the Syndicate of Art alone; and maybe we should not blame the journalists/reporters either; because today appearance is what matters, not the culture.

Let’s talk about  Photography, “S. Mhammad” as an example, our amazing Lebanese Photographer hijacked our social media because buying facebook likes is now an art.

The Photography is very oppressed in our country, the media is focusing on the wrong people, when “Richard Sammour” and “Lara Zankoul” are collecting international awards and honors; The Lebanese Media is covering Commerialtography.

[If you do not have the minimum art Culture to understand their arts (this might offend some readers)] ( Conceptual Photography), don’t go easy, don’t encourage the commercialism.

A country which lacks Art Culture and Art and supports social media sensations should control what to advertise and support real artists.

by Lebarton

Beirut Art Fair 2014

Since its inception in 2010, BEIRUT ART FAIR established itself on the international artistic scene with the vision of ME.NA.SA labeled art, which shaped its identity and power of attraction.
This Year, and for thr 5^th edition, this exhibition has gathered 47 international modern and contemporary art & design galleries from 14 countries that represent the works of hundreds of artists.In this exhibition we noticed the diversity in every gallery, as we noticed many paintings of some famous international artists.  And I was surprised when I saw a painting of Banksy (Graffiti Artist) and Francoise Nielly (Painter) here in Lebanon.
But why the signatures were different?!

     Banksy vs Reproduction

    Francoise Nielly vs Reproduction

Who protect my copyrights as an Artist; if in the most important exhibition in my Country, the artists are reproducing the paintings of each other’s?! Where are the juries of the event? Shouldn't every painting in this exhibition be unique?Stealing away ideas and efforts from an artist without giving him credits made me question the exhibition; Fair enough? I don't think so ..

by Lebarton