Beirut: Under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, the exhibition Echoes of Existence, initiated by the Embassy of Italy in Lebanon and curated by Muriel Asmar, officially opened at the Nuhad Es-Said Pavilion for Culture within the National Museum of Beirut. The event was attended by H.E. Mr. Fabrizio Marcelli, Ambassador of Italy to Lebanon, members of the Nuhad Es-Said Pavilion for Culture Committee, artist Gilbert Halaby, cultural figures, and members of the artistic community, celebrating a remarkable artistic dialogue between Italy and Lebanon.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, Echoes of Existence is a major exhibition centered around the pine tree as a shared symbol deeply rooted in both Italy and Lebanon, bringing together artists Enzo Cucchi and Gilbert Halaby, and an array of Lebanese modern masters. Enzo Cucchi is one of Italy's most celebrated artists, while Gilbert Halaby is a Lebanese-Italian artist who has lived in Rome for the past twenty-three years. The exhibition also highlights the broader artistic landscapes of Lebanese artists and includes an environmental dimension through the contribution of the Carabinieri Biodiversity and Forestry Units.
During the opening, H.E. Mr. Fabrizio Marcelli emphasized the exhibition's role in connecting cultural memory with environmental responsibility, serving as a platform to strengthen a partnership dedicated to the protection of shared Mediterranean natural and cultural heritage. The Nuhad Es-Said Pavilion for Culture Committee echoed this sentiment, highlighting the exhibition's role in transforming the pine tree into a shared cultural language, revealing both nations' profound reverence for nature and their enduring bonds.
Curator Muriel Asmar noted the critical importance of cultural dialogue, asserting that Echoes of Existence reaffirms the power of art to build bridges across cultures, histories, and geographies. At the heart of the exhibition stands the pine tree, transformed by both artists into a symbol of strength, continuity, and cultural memory, while also underscoring the urgency of preserving both natural and cultural heritage.
The exhibition unfolds across three levels of the Nuhad Es-Said Pavilion for Culture, starting with Enzo Cucchi's wall installation and sculptures on the upper level, complemented by Halaby's monumental painting Sannine. The -1 level features Halaby's contemplative installation of pine trees, alongside sketches by Enzo Cucchi and works by Lebanese modern masters, creating a bridge between modern and contemporary interpretations of landscape, identity, and memory. On the -2 level, a collaboration with the Carabinieri Biodiversity and Forestry Units introduces an environmental dimension, emphasizing the urgency of safeguarding shared environmental heritage.
The exhibition is further accompanied by a special publication package, including three books that offer deeper insight into the artistic, cultural, and historical narratives at the heart of Echoes of Existence, extending the exhibition beyond the Pavilion space.