xanadu* recent exhibitions

MARCH 2008

SAMANDAL COMICS MAGAZINE
ISSUE ONE

LAUNCH DATE: MARCH 28, 2008

Opening Reception: MARCH 28, 2008 @ 8:30 PM

Venue: EXPRESS CAFE (Etoile Center: Fransabank) Hamra, Beirut, Lebanon
Info line: +961.3.838672 or info@samandal.org
www.samandal.org

download press release here


		About Samandal: Born out of a long-time love for comic books and a desire to see more of them in this part of the world, Samandal is a quarterly publication, open to submissions, that showcases the work of a variety of artists both national and international. Functioning as a platform for the cross-pollination of ideas the magazine aims to promote the comic form as an independent and mature mode of communication and a valid form of expression. The magazine is targeted at adults, in three languages (Arabic, English and French) with serialized as well as one-off stories. Experimentation and innovation will be the norm as we will all need to discover how to make this medium work within the cultural context of the region. At its heart, though, Samandal aims to capitalize on its inherent malleability as a hybrid art form to operate beyond the demarcated and official boundaries, promoting dialogue between peoples using words and pictures to tell stories of their own. The goal of Samandal Comics Magazine is to provide a platform for comics artists to experiment and display their work, generating a steady stream of contemporary reading material for comics fans. Issue One of Samandal includes work by the fdz, Hatem Imam, Mazen Kerbaj, Elyse Tabet, Fouad R. Mezher, Lena Merhej, Omar Khouri, Farah Nehmeh, Barrack Rima, Isabelle Boinot and Andy Warner.
. "Editorial" by the fdz

. "Mrabba wa Laba " by Lena Merhej		. "Salon Tarek Al Khurafi " by Omar Khouri

. "Vacant Lot " by Andy Warner

. "Khkhkh" by Hatem Imam

SEPTEMBER 2007

************* xanadu* is publishing!

"More Light Than Death Could Bear" by Hind Shoufani
release date: September 8, 2007 BEIRUT

BEIRUT: The book is now available in most major book stores in Beirut (including CD Theque, Antoine, Video Chico, Naufal, House on Mars, Elissar, Khayat, Way In and Bargain Books). Due to the unfortunate incident of the September 19th bombing in Beirut, please expect some delay in book distribution.

INTERNATIONAL: to purchase a copy of Shoufani's book, please contact Hind directly:
hindoism@gmail.com

For more information: www.xanaduart.com/morelight.html

"Shu Tabkha, Ya Mara " edited by Zena el-Khalil
original release date: July 21, 2006 BEIRUT (cancelled due to war)
current release date: September 17, 2007

BEIRUT: The book is now FINALLY available in most major book stores in Beirut (including CD Theque, Antoine, Video Chico, Naufal, House on Mars, Elissar, Khayat, Way In and Bargain Books). Due to the unfortunate Summer War of -06 in Lebanon, the book launch was cancelled, and distribution was held back one year.

INTERNATIONAL: to purchase a copy of Shu Tabkha, Ya Mara (What's Cookin', Woman), please contact Zena directly:
zena@xanaduart.com

For more information: www.xanaduart.com/yamara.html

"Salamander Comics Magazine", Issue Zero
release date: September 14, 2007 BEIRUT

BEIRUT: Issue Zero was passed around for FREE! at the launch event. To obtain a copy of this limited edition print, please contact Lena: lena@lenamerhej.com

Fore more information: www.xanaduart.com/salamander.html