From January 19 until April 8, 2013, the Lebanese contemporary artist Walid Raad has been invited to show his work in the prestigious halls of the Louvre. Raad, who gained an art degree in the late 1980s and began his career shortly thereafter, is known for his artistic vision that mixes various types of media and touches on subjects within Lebanese contemporary history.
Raad’s exhibition at the Louvre presents to spectators a different kind of vision — that of a “universal museum,” which is nonetheless influenced by Eastern art. Moreover, this exhibition signals the beginning of a three-year collaboration that has been planned between Raad and the Louvre. This first exhibition, entitled “Préface à la première edition” therefore kicks off a long-term partnership with one of the most well-known museums in the world.
The exhibition is also part of one of Raad’s own personal projects, called “Scratching on Things I Could Disavow.” This project was begun in 2007 and addresses the ways in which Eastern art is treated in various artistic institutions around the world. It also touches upon the introduction of museums and cultural institutions in the Middle East, as countries in this region begin to become more conscious of their artistic heritage.
Guests staying at the Hôtel Louvre Marsollier are ideally located near the Louvre museum. As a result, they can easily and conveniently visit this Parisian landmark where Walid Raad’s exposition will be presented. They should also take the occasion to spend the day at this impressively immense museum. With numerous halls dedicated to a wide range of periods and artistic styles, the Louvre is a must-see during any visit to Paris.
