Lebanese artist Christine Kettaneh presents Currency of Decay, a solo exhibition at Galerie Janine Rubeiz, reflecting on the fragile state of life’s essentials—bread, currency, and home—within the context of ongoing crises. Born from a reality shaped by economic collapse, corruption, conflict, and war, Kettaneh’s works explore how these fundamental elements decay, not only in a literal sense but also in terms of their symbolic and practical value.
Kettaneh challenges viewers to question how we assign, protect, and ultimately lose value. Bread, like home and money, holds both physical and emotional significance. When these pillars erode—through devaluation, inflation, displacement, or destruction—their “currency” diminishes, rendering them unable to fulfill their essential purpose: bread as sustenance, money as value, and home as security.
The exhibition is not just a meditation on loss but an inquiry into the nature of value itself. Kettaneh’s multidisciplinary practice invites audiences to reconsider their dependence on these symbols of stability and exposes the deep connections that endure, even as societal foundations crumble.
With a background in economics and art, Kettaneh’s work is shaped by a unique blend of analytical precision and material experimentation. A graduate of Central Saint Martins and the London School of Economics, she translates complex systems and codes into sculptural forms, often embodying the tension between order and chaos. Her installations and conceptual works are informed by her collaborations with scientists, climate researchers, and futurists, exploring themes of liquidity, transformation, and decay.
Kettaneh’s approach is rooted in her experience across disciplines. She has participated in several artist residencies, including collaborations with the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Sweden and BeMA in Lebanon. Her work has been recognised with numerous awards, such as the Arte Laguna Prize in Venice and the Art Rights Prize in Milan.
Currency of Decay offers a commentary on the fragility of our constructed systems and symbols, urging audiences to reflect on what truly holds value in times of crisis. In a world where decay often feels inevitable, Kettaneh’s work is a poignant reminder that even in disintegration, there is meaning, connection, and the potential for renewal.
Location: Galerie Janine Rubeiz, Beirut
Dates: 5 February – 5 March 2025
