Contemporary Lebanese Art

Ever wandered through an art museum and been intrigued by the Islamic Art section? Why is there so much blue? Does Islam have a prohibition on representing human figures? What are artists in the Arab world up to today? How does contemporary art in the Arab world engage with themes of war, religion, political freedom and sexuality? Through the lens of a contemporary art hub; Beirut, we will explore these questions. Because of Lebanon's location on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean, Lebanon's fate seems to be always inextricably tied to the developments in the countries surrounding it. This, however, also makes it a rich place for culture. In the past few decades, Beirut has become one of the most important and exciting cities for Arab art today. We will consider works by Lebanese artists both in Lebanon and in the diaspora. Connections will be made to objects in the SAIC's collections and students will be encouraged to incorporate elements of what they learn into their own artwork.

A leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers nationally accredited degree programs as well as Continuing Studies programs for adults and children, ages 4-18. Considered one of the most influential art and design schools in the world, SAIC has continuing studies programs available to all skill levels. Students develop their creative and critical abilities while working with renowned faculty, utilizing state-of-the-art resources, and visiting the breath-taking galleries at the Art Institute of Chicago