by albawaba.com — Afkart, a retail platform for Lebanese designers and artists, was established in 2000 by the Beirut Association for Social Development. Since then, several exhibitions per year have been held under its auspices, both in Lebanon – in Beirut Souks and Faraya, for instance – and elsewhere in the region. Afkart’s central mission is to support local creators, many of whom integrate Oriental styles and symbols into their work – in coffee cups emblazoned with Arabic script, earrings in the shape of the hand of Fatima, or pillows bearing the image of Lebanese singer Fairouz. Jewelry, fashion, ceramics and paintings make up the majority of the exhibited items at Zaitunay Bay, although each stall offers a unique twist. Diala Yafi, for instance, is selling acrylic paintings she produces using a knife instead of a brush, as well as promoting her other pursuit – interior decoration painting designs she can be commissioned to apply to walls, ceilings and furniture.
As most artists cannot afford a permanent gallery or retail space, initiatives like Afkart are important for securing customers, and many vendors at “Art in the Sun” have been exhibiting on the platform for years. Maha Kazan Masri, the woman behind Badera’s Art, explains: “I sell my products online but I don’t know who buys it. Because it’s handmade, it’s important for the people to get to know the artist, and because it’s art, it’s important for me to see who will buy it.” Her stand displays creative candle holders bearing pictures of Christian and Muslim icons as well as secular figures, such as Frida Kahlo. Eastern imagery adorns even the Western figures – one candleholder shows Marilyn Monroe wearing a tarboosh. A stall for K ART & Design proffers Fairouz pillows and cups printed with Fairouz lyrics, as well as pillows and bags displaying pictures of old Beirut and Arabic script.
Mashups between “Eastern” and “Western” styles are a common theme. Ragged jeans with old Arabic texts or logos are for sale, as are T-shirts proclaiming the wearer “Resident 961.” While all of the items are handmade and exclusive, since the artists only produce a limited number of each design, one booth stood out for another reason. Remember Me is a project by a group of five Jordanian students who sell handmade dolls and donate the proceeds directly to Palestinian children living in the Gaza refugee camp in Jordan’s city of Jerash. “Me and my friends felt that it was unfair that we are privileged to have a good education while the government only pays until 10th grade for the Palestinians,” Mohammad, a Remember Me member, said. The dolls are all similar, except for the print on their T-shirts. There are seven different slogans, each representing the career wish of one of the seven children currently supported by Remember Me. The dolls also have a pouch containing each child’s story written on a small piece of paper. Afkart’s “Art in the Sun” in Zaitunay Bay will continue through June 21, from 6-9 p.m. daily. This article has been adapted from its original source.
