Baalbek, Archives of an Eternity

Past

Baalbek, Archives of an Eternity

Curated by Vali Mahlouji | With the support of Association Philippe Jabre

28 June 2019 to 22 September 2019

Special Exhibitions Hall, Level -2

Louis-François Cassas

Reconstitution des trois temples de Baalbeck

Reconstitution of the three temples of Baalbek

Undated, circa 1784-1787

Watercolor on paper

Philippe Jabre collection

Installation view of the section "10,000 years: From the time of the earliest settlements to the present"

Photo: Christopher Baaklini

Installation view of the section "From Image to National Monument: The rise of Lebanese Baalbek"

Photo: Christopher Baaklini

Installation view of the section “A European-Organized Spectacle”

Photo: Christopher Baaklini

Installation view of the section “A European-Organized Spectacle”

Photo: Christopher Baaklini

Installation view of the section “A European-Organized Spectacle”

Photo: Christopher Baaklini

Installation view of the section “Popular Imagination”

Photo: Christopher Baaklini

Installation view of the section “Baalbek International Festival: Lebanon’s mission civilisatrice”

Photo: Christopher Baaklini

Installation view of the section “Modern City”

Photo: Christopher Baaklini

Installation view of the section “Modern City”

Photo: Christopher Baaklini

Installation view of the section “Citizens”

Photo: Christopher Baaklini

Opening reception: Thursday 27 June, 18:00 to 21:00

Baalbek, Archives of an Eternity investigates the site of Baalbek. It reconstructs a complex network of histories and readings, encompassing the pre-historic origins of the site, its rise to prominence, mythologies, functions, occupations, appropriations, its role in identity politics, its role in modern national and political agenda, its hosting of the Baalbek International Festival, and its contemporary reality. The project brings together archaeological, ethnographic, anthropological, cultural, and artistic perspectives to unpack the history of Baablbek from its origins to the contemporary moment. It attempts to ascertain if, and how, Baalbek operates as a signifier, a point of reference, and an identity marker throughout history.

Baalbek, Archives of an Eternity is organized in collaboration with the Baalbek International Festival and the Directorate General of Antiquities, Ministry of Culture.

Vali Mahlouji is a London-based curator, founder of Archaeology of the Final Decade, independent advisor to the British Museum, and director of Kaveh Golestan Estate. Mahlouji’s recent work includes exhibitions at Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam; Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris; MAXXI Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo; Whitechapel Gallery; Photo London; Prince Claus Fund; Singapore International Festival of Arts; Art Dubai Modern; Bergen Triennial; Open Eye Gallery; Dhaka Art Summit 2018; SAVVY Contemporary; and Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, Moscow. Mahlouji has been published by various institutions, including Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin; Guggenheim Museum; National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens; Photo London, Encyclopædia Iranica, Columbia University; Asia Society Museum New York; Sharjah Biennial; and City University New York. Recent talks and lectures by Mahlouji have taken place at Stanford University; Yale University; Goldsmiths University; SAVVY Contemporary, Berlin; Para Site, Hong Kong; Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, Russia; Kultuforum, Berlin; Lahore Literary Festival; Irish Museum of Modern Art; Bergen Assembly; Asia Society, New York; Whitechapel Gallery; and the British Film Institute; among others.

Exhibition guide

Download the exhibition guide in Arabic and English.

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