PRESS RELEASE
Poetry can be sound, light, texture, images -and possibly scent-
Launching of a Poetry Book by Hind Shoufani
Beirut, September 8, 2007 - xanadu* hosted a multi faceted launch event for "More Light Than Death Could Bear" , a poetry book by Hind Shoufani at "Art Lounge". Inspired by the poetry, more than 35 artists, musicians and performers created work based on Shoufani's first book of poetry. This work was exhibited and performed in Art Lounge in front of around 200 attendees.
More Light Than Death Could Bear was inspired by the recent war in Lebanon, and personal complications in Hind's life. Most of her informal and direct poetry is inspired by the loss of her mother at an early age, her father's work with the Palestinian resistance, and the complex duality of being raised in a westernized family in various Arab capitals, as well as the innate connection she feels with those less fortunate and blessed.
"Words can be so important" Hind claims, "They can connect two strangers who have shared a human experience that transcends nationality. I fervently hope that words, lines, thoughts and emotions crossing my mind can bond with readers, especially Arab women who are often silent when they should howl out their feelings. Memory of our life in Beirut is so important to record, so that wars are not repeated endlessly without consequences. And mostly, words have the power to permanently pay homage to our loved ones, in my case, my brave mother Yasmine, a wondrous Palestinian woman taken away too early, as so many of my people have been."
The art exhibit included illustration, painting, installation, and photography. One of the artists, Rima Saab, exhibited mixed media paintings of close ups of tattered walls of Beirut, echoing Shoufani's words of war, betrayal, pain and neglect. Christophe Katrib's photograph taken from a sky-rise Dubai apartment reflects alienation in a fabricated city. George Haddad's photographs taken in Africa speaks of the refugees and poverty highlighted in Hind's writing.
Zena el Khalil, co-founder of xanadu*, said "Art has always shaped societies. It is important to keep creating new and dynamic opportunities for artists to make work. We believe our event is a positive contribution to Lebanon's cultural scene. Sometimes the simplest of ideas can inspire great work."
xanadu* stand firm to their belief that art can make positive changes by inspiring artists from around the world to take personal initiatives in order to make this world a truly beautiful place.
For more information:
Zena el Khalil | zena@xanaduart.com | Tel: +961.3.562259
Notes for the Editor:
Participant Artists:
Hilda Abla, Maya Chami, Lana Daher, George Haddad, Rayya Haddad, Lina Hakim, Wael Hattar, Karen Kalou, Christophe Katrib, Lara Khachikian , Zena el-Khalil, Sandra Helou Mardirian, Barbara Massaad, Rima Saab, and Tanya Traboulsi .
Participant Musicians & Performers:
Maral Ghanma, Christophe Katrib, Nadine Khalil, Lana el-Khalil, Nadia Munla, Hind Shoufani, Mazen Zahreddine, Anthony Abou Kalife, Fadi Khawand, "Salvador & The Sunflowers" ( Lana Abou Khalil, Rami Diab, Omar Haddad, Ramzi Hibri), "The Capoeira Sobreviventes" (Jackson Allers, Christophe Katrib, Sandra Helou Mardirian, Dani Rivera, Simba Russeau, and Arbi Sarkissian) & Djs: Diran Mardirian and Monique Hourani
Hind Shoufani :
Shoufani is a Palestinian filmmaker currently living in the Middle East. She has no formal training in poetry but claims its as necessary in her daily life as love, friendship, laughter and her morning coffee. After completing an M.F.A. in film at New York University, she is presently teaching production and writing at the Lebanese American University. This is her first book and she doesn't expect it to be her last. Hind loves glitter (lal maximum!), beautiful colors, labneh, Leonard Cohen, Ras Beirut, and dancing alone in the afternoon.
About xanadu*:
What began as an idea between two Lebanese dreamers on a subway train in Brooklyn in 2001, blossomed into a global art collective they named "xanadu*, a beautiful place." The idea was to encourage Arab artists to express themselves and exhibit their work, in what was one of the most difficult times in history for an Arab to be living in New York City. In 2003, xanadu* opened up in the legendary Greenwich Village with the mission to showcase artwork, poetry, and music made by young Arab artists.
For three years, xanadu* held monthly events that included art exhibitions, poetry and music performances, publications, and even chess lessons. In 2004, xanadu* branched out to Lebanon. In Beirut, activities have included everything from one night "happenings" to month long exhibitions. In 2006, xanadu* curated the "Shu Tabkha, Ya Mara? (What's Cooking, Woman?) art exhibit in partnership with the International Museum of Women. That same year, xanadu* and local art powerhouse Espace SD co-curated "Nafas Beirut", a testimony to artwork made during the July 06 war. Soon after that, xanadu* launched its publication program to help young writers and poets share their work with their peers.
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