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Artists as Storytellers of Fading Memories. Khan Al Saboun Cultural Art Center, Tripoli

Part 2 Project 2019
Mounira El Halabi
Beirut Arab University - Tripoli campus | Lebanon
What is a memory? According to Halbwachs (1976), memory is "a reconstruction of the past using data from the present". Monuments and performances serving this kind of collective memory are located at highly symbolic places. They are primarily supposed to educate, or re-educate the observer to create national identity and unity, and to foster commonly shared interpretations of history. My project reflects the spirit of Tripoli's Old City to be seen, for the first time, repeatedly discovering this hidden gem.

The main concept is experiencing the old city in all 'her' states. To be able to interact with the city's architectural features and social structure from above (roofs and flying platforms) and below (streets and ground exhibitions). The project exists in a subtle way to serve its purpose in total harmony from the outside. But from the inside, the project comes to life with vibrant and playful spaces reviving traditions of the old city’s history of art and craftsmanship.

I come from Beirut, a war-torn city that was destructed and rebuilt with no character and no memory. I am desperately trying to prevent Tripoli from becoming the second Beirut.
This project is an alarming call.

Mounira El Halabi

Tutor(s)



2019
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