This November, Christie’s will present We Are All Beirut charity auction to benefit and aid the restoration and reawakening of the arts and cultural landscape of Beirut.
The proceeds of the auction will be entrusted to The Arab Funds for Arts and Culture (AFAC) to support the arts and culture community in Beirut including the Sursock Museum.
A selection of the works in the auction were part of the exhibition ‘Beirut Year Zero’ which was organised recently in response to the tragic event on August 4th by Zoe and Nabil Debs of Arthaus Beirut and seen by thousands of visitors.
The proceeds of these selected works will mainly be donated to the Lebanese Red Cross and Christie’s is delighted to welcome this initiative, as the company has supported the Red Cross in times of crisis for more than 100 years.
We Are All Beirut will auction works by artists across three spheres: the arts, the world of design and jewelry. With works by internationally acclaimed artists such as Mona Hatoum and specifically commissioned works for the cause by Ayman Baalbaki, Serwan Baran, Abdel Rahman Katanani and Nabil Nahas as well as iconic designs by Paulin Paulin Paulin and Hervé van der Straaten. The jewelery segment of the sale will include exquisite lots courteously donated by various brands and Maison’s, including Hemmerle, Boghossian and Piaget.
Caroline Louca-Kirkland, managing director at Christie’s Middle East said: “Supporting the work behind AFAC’s cultural and philanthropic initiative, advocating and directing the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Beirut’s artistic and cultural hubs is so important to us here at Christie’s.
"Witnessing such an incredible level of interest and generous contributions to We Are All Beirut, regionally and internationally, depicts the humanity and benevolence that is so very much needed today. "
Rima Mismar, director of AFAC, added: "The aftermath of the August 4th catastrophe has struck an astounding, unprecedented blow, to civilian life as well as to the arts and culture sector in Lebanon, the very existence of which has been threatened this year by the pandemic. The survival and sustainability of the once vibrant creative field is now in a critical condition. Recovering from the shock will require time, money, reconvening as a community to identify priorities, articulate visions and re-think the ways in which cultural production can engage with this moment in history at the local as well as global levels. We would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all donors supporting Christie’s charity initiative. “
Over the coming weeks, Christie’s shall announce the array of works of art and artists contributing and bringing to life this very special auction.
Follow @christiesinc on Instagram for details.
