PRESS RELEASE
Samandal Comics Magazine
Launching of Issue Zero of Salamander Comics Magazine
Beirut, September 14, 2007 - xanadu* is hosting a launch event for "Samandal Comics Magazine, Issue Zero" , a collection of comics illustrated by both Lebanese and international artists. A work in the making for over a year now, Samandal has now released Issue Zero, published by xanadu*, with the intent to continue issuing every two months.
Samandal is a magazine dedicated to comics. Based in Beirut, they have contributors come from all over the world. 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 Zero of Samandal includes work by Omar Khouri, Isabelle Boinot, Flab, Lena Merhej, Schlob, Los Quedos and Fouad R. Mezher.
Hatem Imam, one of the founding member of Samandal said, "We hope Samandal will inspire artists and writers to take personal initiatives to publish their work with us. Right now there are so many graphic designers, illustrators and writers looking for creative outlets and there is a growing interest in comic books and graphic novels in the region. We hope that Samandal could be a stepping stone for them to share their work with their respective audiences. It would be ideal if after the Samandal experience, these artists would then have more encouragement and resources to publish their own books."
Zena el Khalil, co-founder of xanadu*, said "We are very happy to become part of the Samandal family. Not only because of our love for comic books, but also because we see this as a new opportunity for artists and writers to express themselves in an unconventional way. We are pleased to be able to offer a high level of quality of comics to our audiences in hopes to inspire more people to read, draw and dream."
xanadu* stands 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:
Hatem Imam (Samandal Comics Magazine) | hatemimam@gmail.com | Tel: +961.3.838672
Zena el Khalil (xanadu*) | zena@xanaduart.com | Tel: +961.3.562259
Notes for the Editor:
Participant Artists:
Participating artists: Omar Khouri, Isabelle Boinot, Flab, Lena Merhej, Schlob, Los Quedos and Fouad R. Mezher
History of Salamander:
The idea for Samandal Comics Magazine began with Omar Khouri and Tarek Nabaa. Hatem Imam then joined the team, followed by Lena Merhej and Fadi Baki, who are all contributing artists. Recently, Zena el-Khalil of xanadu* joined to help with logistics and publishing.
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, poets and artists share their work with their peers.
In 2007, xanadu* launched their publication program.
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