21 ARTISTS AND A BIENNIAL | NADIM KARAM

Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 155, 2016, work on paper, 36.4 x 27.4 cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Portrait of Nadim Karam. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus

Portrait of Nadim Karam. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus

Nadim Karam

(born 1957) is a multidisciplinary
Lebanese artist, painter, sculptor and architect

Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 32, 1988- 1990, Sketch, 33.2 x 25.1 cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 32, 1988- 1990, Sketch, 33.2 x 25.1 cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus

 

 

 

Nadim Karam (b.1957) – an artist and architect working from Beirut – holds a degree in architecture from the American University of Beirut, then earned a doctorate in architecture from the University of Tokyo, Japan, where he lived for 10 years.

With Atelier Hapsitus, the pluri-disciplinary group he founded in 1996 in Beirut, he has realised temporary and permanent urban interventions in cities worldwide.

 

 

 

 

“There are invisible governing networks that apply differently to different encounters and places on earth, creating fragmented negotiated freedoms.”

Nadim Karam, Single Sheet, from the War series, 2006, 59.8 x 42.2 cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Single Sheet, from the War series, 2006, 59.8 x 42.2 cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 108, 2012, Sketch. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 108, 2012, Sketch. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus

SCULPTOR
PAINTER
URBAN ARTIST
ARCHITECT

Nadim Karam, Dreams and Journeys, 2017, 80 x 95 cm Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Dreams and Journeys, 2017, 80 x 95 cm Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Urban Stories, 1993, Single Sheet, 35 x 54 cm, Work on paper. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Urban Stories, 1993, Single Sheet, 35 x 54 cm, Work on paper. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 132, 2016, Sketch, 21 x 16 cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 132, 2016, Sketch, 21 x 16 cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus

Education:
1982 Bachelor of
Architecture, Faculty
of Engineering and
Architecture, American
University of Beirut
1985 Master of Architecture,
Faculty of Architecture &
Engineering, University
of Tokyo 1989 Doctor of Architecture,
Faculty of Architecture &
Engineering, University
of Tokyo

Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 132, 2016, Sketch, 21 x 16 cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 132, 2016, Sketch, 21 x 16 cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus

With a background that fuses Oriental and Japanese theories of space, Nadim Karam has developed his own concepts, based on ideas like “micro pluralism,” “the architecture of performance” and “story-telling architecture.”

Nadim Karam, Voyage 2000, Book. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Voyage 2000, Book. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Urban Toys, 2006, Book. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Urban Toys, 2006, Book. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, The Cloud, the Desert and the Arabian Breeze, 2017, Book. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, The Cloud, the Desert and the Arabian Breeze, 2017, Book. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Stretching Thoughts, 2014, Book. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Stretching Thoughts, 2014, Book. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus

 

 

 

With a background that fuses Oriental and Japanese theories of space, Nadim Karam has developed his own concepts, based on ideas like “micro pluralism,” “the architecture of performance” and “story-telling architecture.”

Selections Magazine Issue #46 Special Edition, Being Nadim Karam, 2018. Cover Photo by Natasha Karam
Selections Magazine Issue #46 Special Edition, Being Nadim Karam, 2018. Cover Photo by Natasha Karam

Publications:
2013: Stretching Thoughts, Booth-
Clibborn Editions, London
2007: The Cloud, the Desert
and the Arabian Breeze, Booth-
Clibborn Editions, London
2006: Urban Toys, Booth-
Clibborn Editions, London, with
introduction by Paul Virilio
2000: VOYAGE,Booth-Clibborn
Editions, London

“Urban art projects are a negotiation with the city. They can never be imposed. There is a need for a give-and-take between the city and me until an understanding is reached. The resulting project is the visual expression of our dialogue.”

Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 155, 2016, work on paper, 36.4 x 27.4 cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 155, 2016, work on paper, 36.4 x 27.4 cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus

“The power of creativity is continuous and everything to a certain extent is creative and regenerates itself. Everything moves. So being able to find something that doesn’t move is impossible. What if this point existed somewhere? Could it be possible; a non-moving entity in this universe? I doubt! For it not to move, it will have to accumulate all the energy of the world, and that act by itself is movement!”

NADIM KARAM IS PARTICIPATING IN THE EXHIBITION TITLED PERSONAL STRUCTURES, ORGANIZED AND SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN CULTURAL CENTRE IN ITALY. THIS EXHIBITION IS PART OF THE 58TH VENICE BIENNALE COLLATERAL EVENTS.

SHORT ARTIST STATEMENT ON POLITICS OF DIALOGUE:
THE MERRY-GO-ROUND Politics of Dialogue: The Merry- Go-Round addresses the theme of PERSONAL STRUCTURES exhibition Time, Space and Existence by considering the challenge of creating effective communication in an era marked by hyperconnectivity. Dialogue assumes the creation of a level playing field. However, it often happens in isolation from the area or population of concern. Detached from its purpose, it becomes ineffective. Politics of Dialogue: The Merry- Go-Round is about communication turning in circles; a trapped dialogue, rotating upon itself, and offered to the observer on a carousel-like platform.

EXHIBITION TITLE:
PERSONAL STRUCTURES – Identities
HOSTING INSTITUTION: European Cultural Centre – Italy
LOCATION: Palazzo Bembo, Palazzo Mora
and Giardini Marinaressa, Venice, Italy
PROMOTER: European Cultural Centre
ORGANISERS: Valeria Romagnini, European
Cultural Centre – Italy Lucia Pedrana, Sara
Danieli, Claudia Piovan, Bérénice Freytag,
Bianca Bonaldi, Rocco Schenkel, Elena
Volpato, Cristina Sakura, Debora Bae, Micaela
Skerl, Mila Sarkisyan, Svetlana Eroshina
OPENING PERIOD: May 11-November 24, 2019


AT BIENNALE
Location: Giardini Marinaressa

Nadim Karam, Politics of Dialogue - The Merry-Go-Round, 2019. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Politics of Dialogue – The Merry-Go-Round, 2019. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Politics of Dialogue - exploded diagram, 2019. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Politics of Dialogue – exploded diagram, 2019. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 172, 2019, Sketch, 21 x 14.8cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus
Nadim Karam, Sketchbook 172, 2019, Sketch, 21 x 14.8cm. Courtesy of Nadim Karam & Atelier Hapsitus

A VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN PRINT IN SELECTIONS #49

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

selections-arts-logo

SELECTIONS is a platform for the arts, focusing on the Arab World.

Selections editorial presents a quarterly print magazine and weekly online publication with high quality content on all subjects related to Art and Culture. Full of world-leading artworks, exquisite brand imagery, original creative illustrations and insightful written articles.
Selections Viewing Rooms presents carefully curated online art shows aiming not only to shed light on contemporary art executed by living artists, but also for viewers to buy contemporary fine art, prints & multiples, photography, street art and collectibles.
Discover the previous and current shows here.
Cultural Narratives foundation is an extensive collection that is travelling the world by leading established and emerging talents aiming to reflect the culture of the region in their works.

RANDOM READS

‘Poltergeist’ by Farah Al Qasimi at C/O Berlin

On view at C/O Berlin is “Poltergeist” a show by Farah Al Qasimi.  A multidisciplinary media artist born in 1991 in the UAE, her works comprise a compelling fusion of photographs and video art, exploring the elusive realm of the…

‘Dance is Not for Us’ by Omar Rajeh and Maqamat at Tanzwerkstatt Europa, Munich

Omar Rajeh, a choreographer and performer, in collaboration with Maqamat, presents a new solo creation titled ‘Dance is not for us’ that delves into his dance and autobiographical world, exploring the act of performance as a shared experience. Through his…

‘Voices Without Borders’ by Etel Adnan and Simone Fattal at KINDL

“Voices without Borders” presents an intimate dialogue between two influential voices from the Arab world, Etel Adnan and Simone Fattal. The exhibition, hosted at KINDL, is a testament to the multidisciplinary nature of their artistic and literary contributions. Notably, Adnan…

Being Abdul Rahman Katanani: Pride in Humility by Ayman Baalbaki

My first encounter with Abdul Rahman Katanani was in 2008 during the opening of my solo exhibition at Agial Gallery. I also remember that shortly after the opening, Abdul Rahman had his own exhibition at the Lebanese Artists Association, which…

‘Unveiling the Elemental’ by Jean Boghossian at Mark Hachem Gallery Paris

Mark Hachem Gallery Paris is exhibiting a new solo show by Jean Boghossian titled, ‘Unveiling the Elemental.’ The exhibition highlights the artist’s mastery of fire, texture, and form through three distinct series: ‘Rhythms,’ ‘Broken Burnt Lines,’ and the seminal ‘Wave.’…

AlUla Design Award announces 10 Finalists

Arts AlUla has unveiled the 10 finalists for the second edition of the AlUla Design Award. These finalists are set to showcase their designs at Paris Design Week, where the unveiling of the 5 winners will take place on September…

september 2023

02apr(apr 2)09:0015sep(sep 15)09:00SELECTED WORKS - NABIL ANANI

03may(may 3)09:0026nov(nov 26)20:00LOBI LOBI - BOBO LAND - Comic Craze Vol. 3

04may01sepSEHAM