Beirut by the Sea

Maps and stories are powerful tools for shaping our understanding of the world around us, as they provide a means of visualizing and communicating complex information and experiences, influencing our perspectives and beliefs, and enabling us to connect with others through shared narratives and experiences. One such artwork that highlights these complexities is “Beirut by the Sea” by Marwan Rechmaoui. This is a fascinating artwork that reflects the complex history and identity of the city of Beirut. The artwork has gained critical acclaim and has been exhibited at several international art fairs and galleries. This artwork is a large-scale map of Beirut that explores the identity of the city, which has experienced intense social, political, and cultural changes in recent decades. 

“Beirut by the Sea” was created in 2008, during a period of intense political and social change in Beirut. The city had just gone through a long period of civil war, which lasted from 1975 to 1990. The war left the city in ruins, and the process of rebuilding the city was slow and painful. In addition to the civil war, the city also experienced intense social and cultural changes. Beirut, which was once known as the “Paris of the Middle East,” became a city that was divided along sectarian lines, with different religious and political groups controlling different areas of the city. The city’s identity was in flux, with different groups vying for control over the narrative of what Beirut was and what it should be.

The civil war was a complex conflict that pitted different political and religious factions against each other. The war had a devastating impact on Beirut, with large parts of the city destroyed and many people displaced. Rechmaoui’s use of molds of different parts of the city to create a map suggests the physical scars and wounds left by the conflict. The use of molds also highlights the diversity and complexity of Beirut’s identity, which was shaped by the interaction of different communities and cultures over time.

The circular shape of the artwork, resembling a coastline, is also significant in relation to the civil war. The sea has always played an important role in Beirut’s history and culture, as a port city that connected different cultures and civilizations. During the civil war, the sea became a lifeline for many people, as it was a means of escape and a way to access aid and supplies. The circular shape of the artwork suggests the importance of the sea to Beirut’s identity and culture, and the way in which the city was shaped by its relationship to the sea.

The critical reception of “Beirut by the Sea” has been overwhelmingly positive. The artwork has been praised for its use of materials, its representation of the city, and its ability to provoke reflection and engagement. Critics have noted that the artwork is a powerful representation of the city’s history and identity. The artwork’s use of concrete tiles and language has been seen as a clever way of highlighting the city’s history of destruction and reconstruction. The representation of the city has also been praised for its accuracy and attention to detail.

The artwork’s relationship with Beirut’s cultural identity is also noteworthy. Beirut is a city that is known for its rich cultural heritage and its ongoing struggle to reconcile its past and present. “Beirut by the Sea” reflects this struggle by highlighting the city’s history of destruction and reconstruction. The artwork’s use of materials and representation of the city also reflects the diversity and complexity of Beirut’s cultural identity. The division of the city into Christian and Muslim areas highlights the sectarian divide that exists within the city. However, the artwork’s representation of the city as a whole also reflects the city’s cultural diversity and its ongoing struggle to reconcile its different identities.

“Beirut by the Sea” is a powerful artwork that reflects the complex social, political, and cultural changes that have taken place in Beirut. The artwork challenges the traditional notion of contemporary art, which is often seen as an elitist practice that is disconnected from society. By creating an artwork that is a map of the city, Rechmaoui is inviting visitors to engage with the artwork and to reflect on the city’s past, present, and future.

The artwork is made up of concrete tiles that are arranged on the floor to form a map of the city. The artwork is an accurate representation of the city of Beirut, highlighting the topography of the city, including the mountains, the coast, and the buildings. The artwork is installed in an empty warehouse in Beirut, allowing visitors to walk on it and interact with the artwork.

The artwork is a representation of the city’s architecture. Beirut is known for its concrete buildings, which were built during the post-war period. The use of concrete tiles also reflects the city’s resilience and its ability to rebuild itself after the war. However, the tiles are arranged in a way that highlights the divisions that exist within the city. The lighter tiles represent the Christian areas, while the darker tiles represent the Muslim areas. This is a reflection of the sectarian divide that exists within the city.

The artwork is also a subjective representation of the city, reflecting the artist’s personal experience of the city. The artwork highlights the areas of the city that are important to Rechmaoui, such as the neighborhoods where he grew up and the places where he spent time with his friends. The artwork also highlights the areas of the city that are often ignored or marginalized, such as the Palestinian refugee camps.

The work of art “Beirut by the Sea” by Marwan Rechmaoui can be related to the ideas of the art critic and writer John Berger. Berger’s work on the relationship between art and society, particularly his book “Ways of Seeing,” can provide insight into the ways in which Rechmaoui’s artwork reflects the identity and history of Beirut.

In “Ways of Seeing,” Berger argues that art is not simply a reflection of reality, but is shaped by the social and historical context in which it is produced. He suggests that art is a way of seeing the world that is shaped by the values, beliefs, and experiences of the society that produces it. In the case of Beirut by the Sea, Rechmaoui’s artwork can be seen as a reflection of the complex identity and history of Beirut.

Berger also emphasizes the importance of context in interpreting art. He suggests that the meaning of a work of art is not inherent in the artwork itself, but is shaped by the context in which it is viewed. In the case of Beirut by the Sea, the artwork is situated in the context of Beirut, a city with a long history of conflict, cultural exchange, and migration. This context shapes the way in which the artwork is interpreted, as viewers are invited to engage with the city’s history, identity, and culture through the artwork.

Berger also highlights the importance of the viewer in interpreting art. He suggests that the viewer’s own experiences and perspectives shape the way in which they interpret a work of art. In the case of Beirut by the Sea, viewers are invited to engage with the artwork and reflect on their own experiences of Beirut and the ways in which they understand the city’s identity and history.

Rechmaoui’s “Beirut by the Sea” also reflects the artist’s interest in language. The artwork includes words and phrases that are important to Rechmaoui and that reflect the city’s identity. For example, the artwork includes the word “hamra,” which is the name of a neighborhood in Beirut, but which also means “red” in Arabic. The inclusion of language in the artwork highlights the importance of language in shaping our understanding of the world and our identity.

In addition to language, the artwork also reflects Rechmaoui’s interest in urbanism and the built environment. The artwork highlights the topography of the city, including the mountains and the coastline, as well as the various neighborhoods and landmarks that make up the city. Through the use of concrete tiles, the artwork also references the construction and architecture of the city. 

The use of materials is significant in “Beirut by the Sea.” The artist’s decision to use concrete tiles as the medium for the artwork reflects the city’s history of destruction and reconstruction. Concrete is a material that is associated with the post-war period in Beirut, as it was commonly used to rebuild the city after the war. The use of this material in the artwork speaks to the city’s resilience and its ability to rebuild itself.

Furthermore, the use of the tiles also reflects the division that exists within the city. The lighter tiles represent the Christian areas of the city, while the darker tiles represent the Muslim areas. This division reflects the sectarian divide that exists within Beirut and highlights the challenges that the city faces in terms of social cohesion. 

The artwork also challenges the traditional notion of contemporary art and its relationship with society. Traditionally, contemporary art has been seen as an elitist practice that is disconnected from society. However, Rechmaoui’s artwork invites visitors to engage with the artwork and to reflect on the city’s past, present, and future. By creating an artwork that is a map of the city, Rechmaoui is bridging the gap between contemporary art and society.

In conclusion, Marwan Rechmaoui’s “Beirut by the Sea” is a powerful artwork that reflects the complex social, political, and cultural changes that have taken place in Beirut. The artwork challenges the traditional notion of contemporary art and its relationship with society by creating an artwork that invites visitors to engage with the artwork and reflect on the city’s past, present, and future. Through the use of concrete tiles and language, the artwork highlights the city’s history of destruction and reconstruction, as well as the divisions that exist within the city. Overall, “Beirut by the Sea” is a powerful reflection of the city’s identity and its ongoing struggle to reconcile its past and present.