In May 2017, the Lebanese southern city of Jezzine hosted six participants - visual artists, a filmmaker and  a curator - selected following an open call, who conducted research and implemented site-specific projects using participatory methods and approaches. A public program punctuated the residency with events and workshops addressing the theme of water in collaboration with local partners, guest-artists and speakers targeting both resident-artists and members of the Jezzine community.

This film, shot and edited by filmmaker Zeina Aboul Hosn, tells the story of the residency and its participants, while also offering a glimpse into the lives of the local community and the history of Jezzine itself. 

BeMA Residency // Jezzine is the second artists-in-residence program launched as a collaboration between Beirut Museum of Art (BeMA) and Temporary Art Platform. The program falls under both associations’ shared interest in supporting contemporary art practices and engaging local communities across Lebanon through contextual projects.

The residency examined issues related to water through research and a series of interdisciplinary activities. Jezzine’s legendary waterfall and abundance of water resources stemming from dams, rivers, lakes and streams had inspired the theme of the residency.

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Organizers: Beirut Museum of Art in collaboration with Temporary Art Platform

Main Partners: The municipality of Jezzine, Robert A. Matta Arts and Culture Association, Jezzine Hub 

Patronage: The Lebanese Ministry of Culture 

Curator: Amanda Abi Khalil

Artistic Coordinator: Ali El-Darsa 

Assistant: Nour Osseiran

Artists: Mo Abd-Ulla, Suzy Halajian, Christine Kettaneh, Ashraf Mtaweh, Hussein Nassereddine, Mahmoud Safadi

Guest Artists: Mary Jirmanus Saba, Ghassan Salhab, Thomas Geiger, Vatche Boulghourjian, Cynthia Zaven, Vartan Avakian, Sarah Srage, Eliza Deutsch, Qassem Istanbuli, Charbel Samuel Aoun, Daniele Genadry, Hachem Adnan

Technical Director: Mustapha Yammout (aka Zico)

Media and Communication: Soapbox, L’Orient Le Jour, Albergo

Collaborators: SOILS Permaculture Association Lebanon, The Union of Jezzine Municipality, Lebanon Mountain Trail

Sponsors: Karam Wines