"Ripped Gardens of Lebanon"

Initially, we wanted to show the Third Edition in the fall, but the war thwarted our plans, or rather delayed them. It so happened that some of the works reached Beirut, and some remained in Poland. The Gardens became torn apart, and thus even closer. Showing some of the works in Poland was an expression of support, action, solidarity. It was also necessary for us, because distant from our suffering friends, we wanted, through this action, to be closer to them.

The opening took place on 30.11.2024 in our Club-Café Fratelli Tutti in Łódź.

A few words from Magda Sontag, our volunteer, originator and project supervisor:

"Saturday's meeting - the opening of the exhibition of the final edition of "Gardens of Lebanon" - was completely different than the five previous openings that we had the opportunity to organize and experience in Poland. Not only because for the first time we were unable to show all the works in one place. Not because in the fall we showed “Gardens” in Beirut and now suddenly in Poland. No. But because of one guest.

Silence. She was the guest who set the tone for the meeting. But it was a good silence that did not allow sadness to settle in, leaving space for the torn “Gardens” to be heard.

The presence of those who visited us allowed important and difficult words to be heard from us with a sense of full understanding, respect and support.

We also experienced whispers for the first time at the “Gardens of Lebanon”; conversations in which contemplation and focus on the message of the work were the most important aspect. Conversations that allowed us to collect our thoughts and not shout out the emotions that brought us together on Saturday.

We do not wonder whether this was the right date for such a meeting – because in the current context, could anything better be planned?

We also had no doubts that showing such a hybrid version of the exhibition (14 original works and 20 in the form of prints) is what we can do for now, and action sometimes allows us to stop the thoughts that are rushing through our heads. Thanks to this, we can take one step forward, and then another, and another…
However, we know – because we also heard it in conversations at the opening – that what Polish Artists have prepared for this edition has balm properties, breathes hope; that the prepared works have life in them …
We wish you and ourselves that the Torn “Gardens of Lebanon” cease to exist as soon as possible in such a form, so that all 34 works can be shown in one place. These wishes are expressed simultaneously with full acceptance of the path that the edition of “Wood, Home, Durability” has ahead of it."

As soon as the ceasefire came, we decided to show, following the example of the exhibition in Poland, the works that are in Beirut together with photographs of the remaining ones in Poland. We managed to organize a one-day exhibition on 29.12 in our Mar Mkhayel Cultural Center.

The impressions are difficult to describe, and the interactions with people were priceless. For many of them, it was the first breath of life after brutal months of stress and pain. Many found solace. As usual, we were accompanied by old friends, volunteers, and even participants of “Young Gardens”.

We would like to thank all the artists participating in this Edition:
Arkadiusz Andrejkow
Arkadiusz Burda
Eliza Flaszewska
Karolina Gorczyńska - Jarek
Aleksandra Herisz
Izabela Janowska
Jadzia Korzeniowska
Adam Lempa
Ewa Mrozowska
Grażyna and Tomasz Przysucha
Agnieszka Prucia Misiura
Magdalena Soltysik
Magda Sontag

#GardensOfLebanon