Art in Lebanon – the Last Thirty Years by artist Joseph Mattar, copyright 2008 LebanonArt.com (Published in Byblos Art N'2, 2009)

Art Related Article :)

"Contemporary reality animates the forces of our imagination, stimulates our faculties and manifests itself in works of every kind, with as support here a white sheet of paper, there a panel of wood, elsewhere some canvas, stone, a wooden block, various materials or even sound, taking on various forms as monuments or as words." - Joseph Mattar.

Art through out the ages has changed from age to age and influence to influence. Gradually changing from the religiously dominated art form during the 1600s changing to the more humanistic form through the renaissance and across oceans and time to Modern or Contemporary art of the days today. Obviously art styles differ from country to country especially in the middle east, an area characterized by old world thoughts and beliefs and strong customs. So in Mr. Mattars article about the changes of art in countries like Lebanon and other middle eastern countries examine not only the physical changes of the art but also its meaning and cultural ties developing.

Artist change with the world around them and the inspirations that motivate them, so it can be inferred that popular artist like Assadour, Sursock, Nakhleh, Ghali, Naomi to only name a few. These artists expresses political and religious concerns through their work. Giving you an image to a problem instead of just and abstract idea or feeling. Art in the middle east makes connections to your emotions or evokes a feeling within you.

The artists mention in my pervious paragraph gave way you more modern artist from the middle east like Abdallah Dadour, Bonfils and Jean (John) Lahoud, together with poets following the example of Joseph Abou Daher. Using more modern styles of writing and art now using computer programs and digital media. Art that is developing in the middle east (mostly lebanon) is not limited to paint and sculpture it now is including writing styles like poetry and digital media. As the world advances and "matures" in its ideals flow out and influence the people of the world. The people of the middle east have a rich and vibrant culture and now since of the recently acquired abilities to show their work around the world sharing their ideals and customs with people like us sitting here in America translated through their art.

And finally.......

"Art has conquered all the frontiers of countries and races and even of souls, with communication become so general." - Joseph Matter

This to me means that art and personal expression that connects the world through out time and the world. Its a special sort of communication to not only the world but yourself as humans. To observe a piece and decided how it makes you feel and how it communicates messages and emotions to people of completely different "worlds" that your own. It doesn't matter what you do or where you came from art is way to strip away all the expectations and basis of the world and show something special and meaningful.