Galerie Tanit Beirut presents ‘Soft Shields’ a solo show by Jad El Khoury taking place from November 29, until December 29, 2023. ‘Soft Shields’, a project born from the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion, stands as a narrative woven by artist Jad El Khoury during extensive field research. Engaging with homeowners in the most affected streets, El Khoury gathered their stories, testimonies, and experiences of the tragic August 4th, 2020. The iconic balconies of Beirut, adorned with colourful curtains were shattered by the blast. El Khoury, during his research, replaced torn curtains for 13 houses, later crafting the remnants into an immersive installation that intertwines personal narratives with the symbolic importance of Beirut’s balcony curtains. Visitors are welcome to explore the installation intimately, viewing both stories and textiles up close.
Balcony curtains have been a recurring medium in El Khoury’s artistry. In Burj El Hawa (2018), he transformed The Murr Tower into a choreographed installation dancing with the wind, and in his Master’s graduation project, Healing Blanket (2022), Beirut curtains found a purpose once again. Soft Shields not only captures the resilience of a community but invites others to become part of the ongoing story of healing and reconstruction.
About Jad El Khoury
Born in 1988, Jad El Khoury, a Lebanese multidisciplinary artist now based in Oslo, Norway, holds master’s degrees in Architecture from the Lebanese University (2016) and Art and Public Space from Oslo National Academy of the Arts (2022). Beginning in 2016, El Khoury focused on war traces in Lebanon, turning accidental monuments into choreographed installations as a rebellion against sectarianism. His notable work, “Burj El Hawa” (Tower of the Wind, 2018), predates his move to Oslo in 2020. El Khoury’s art, blending environmental sensitivity, politics, architecture, and heritage, evolves with contexts, from static installations to socially engaged practices. Awarded the Arte Laguna Prize in 2019, he is currently in residency at Rådhuset i Oslo until 2024.
Location: Galerie Tanit, Beirut
Dates: 29 November – 29 December, 2023