A Lebanese artist at the MoMA...

4:37 p.m.

21/12/15 - The conflicts of the Arab world are now present on the second and third floors of the MoMA in New York. On display is Walid Raad, an artist born in Lebanon in 1967 and who lived, during childhood, the civil war in his country (1975-91). His works show how he lived the armed conflict and also the social and military politics of the Middle East.

The exhibition is focused on two projects by the artist: The Atlas Group (1989–2004) and Scratching on things I could disavow (from 2007 till today).

The Atlas Group is a 15-year project that explores the contemporay history of Lebanon: Raad produced photos, videos and lectures narrating several events as they took place.

My neck is thinner than a hair: Engines., by Walid Raad (1996–2004)

100 inkjet prints / Measures: 24 x 34 cm each

MoMA

In another part of the room, a wall brought from Beirut shows Index XXVI: according to Raad, a gathering of Lebanese painters and sculptors from the past and the future. Raad explains that the names of the artists from the future came to him telepathically. This was later confirmed by a dancer who considers himself guardian of Lebanese art.

Index XXVI: Red, by Walid Raad - Detail

Vynil, pencil and inkjet prints / Variable dimensions

MoMA

Raad says that the Section 88_ACT XXXI project is the consequence of the opening of a new Modern and Contemporary Art Museum in an Arab city. A visitor is rejected at the entrance. Raad wonders if this was because of his clothing, not proper for the occasion, or because the reigning dynasty was inside. Either way, the answer was simply No. The visitor thought there was a wall in a situation that could hurt someone. So he goes to other security guards shouting "Be careful, don't go there." Seconds later, he is forced out, badly beaten, and taken to a mental institution. These events, Raad explains, happened between 2014 and 2024 and is sure that the newspapers will comment that a madman caused disturbances at an opening, saying the world is flat.

Section 88_ACT XXXI: Views from outer to inner compartmens, by Walid Raad

Painted wool / Measures: 500 × 250 × 20 cm.

Installation view, Scratching on things I could disavow: A history of art in the Arab world, MoMA

This is a different exhibition, from a far away land, with encrypted works. Some critics, when trying to explain Salid Raad's work, say that certain phenomenons have no logic explanation. When a human being is exposed to war, destruction and death, how can he/she give sense to artistic creativity? Man needs to redefine himself, erasing past traditions because they shout: what has been will no longer return. The trauma of war alienates the artist and he needs to rediscover himself and create.