Kristel Bechara, kanvas orchestrate a symphony of shadows and light
The Voyageur by Kristel Bechara.
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Award-winning contemporary artist Kristel Bechara has partnered with kanvas, the new immersive art space in Dubai, to unveil a groundbreaking exhibition titled A Symphony of Shadows & Light (Feb. 22 – Mar. 22). It is the outcome of a collaboration that blends Bechara’s narrative with kanvas’ innovative technology, offering visitors an enchanting art experience. The event showcases Bechara’s artistic journey spanning more than 15 years in the United Arab Emirates. She is known for her mastery of both traditional painting and digital art and regularly pushes the boundaries of creativity by embracing technological advancements. “I have always liked to blend and combine the disciplines of traditional and digital art,” she says.
The exhibition, animated by motion designer Viktor Lukacs and set against curated soundtracks by renowned contemporary composer Balazs Havasi, is divided into five chapters, each offering a canvas of emotions derived from the artist’s personal story. They may resonate with the life stories of viewers too. Chapter 1: Genesis of Passion explores the emergence of creativity in Bechara’s private world, driven by her emotions and the beauty of life. Chapter 2: Celebration of Life captures moments of joy, growth and celebration inspired by Greek mythology - a theme deeply rooted in Bechara’s paintings, which visually narrate the timeless tales in a contemporary context.
Chapter 3: Voice and Vulnerability celebrates beauty in diversity through the portrayal of various female characters symbolising equality, empowerment and autonomy. Chapter 4: Strength in Struggles departs from the norm of predominantly male explorers. The chapter depicts a female explorer, The Voyageur, who challenges conventional travel narratives. Travel is usually associated with the male gender, but here the traveller is a woman who challenges the fear of the unknown and navigates fantastical places from the past through the present and into the future.
Chapter 5: Imaginarium invites viewers to contemplate and explore their own creative journeys through landscapes and stories connected to them. Bechara’s work has won audiences globally, and have been showcased in galleries from Tokyo, London, Milan, Brussels, and Paris. The exhibition marks a significant milestone for her. “I think my work reflects the ever-changing landscape of art that is challenging the norms. When I came across kanvas’s new technology, I embraced it with open arms. This is the future of art showcases,” she says.
Astrid Lesuisse, exhibition collaborator and curator said that “I believe art is an endless source for new experiences. The total immersive technology of kanvas with 10 Full HD projectors and ultra-short throw lenses, offers an incredible opportunity for viewers to connect with Kristel Bechara’s work on a deeper level.” Balint Tordai, co-founder of kanvas said: “Not every artist’s style translates effortlessly to an immersive surface, but Kristel’s distinctive patterns and characters are truly inspiring for us. We are very excited with this collaboration that transforms her part physical, part digital artwork into a vibrant and dynamic show on kanvas’ projection surfaces. Furthermore, this project fits perfectly with our mission to present innovative art experiences to audiences by showcasing stunning multimedia experiences and groundbreaking hybrid phygital exhibitions.”
To commemorate the occasion, Kristel Bechara has also created A Symphony of Shadows & Light Mini Series: Fragments of An Artistic Odyssey, featuring 16 original acrylics on canvas pieces, derived from her larger works. Each piece is wrought with attention to detail and mastery of colour and form. Additionally, the exhibition marks the launch of her inaugural sculpture where she collaborates with Emirati ceramist Shaima Ahli, bringing life her iconic Pandora’s Box, using pure clay - an integral material in ancient Greek culture. The sculpture has travelled from Dammam to Dubai for display at kanvas and will subsequently be adorned with Bechara’s signature patterns and colours.
She is a visual artist based in Dubai and is renowned for her practice that contrasts dynamic patterns and monochromatic backgrounds. She has been featured in major publications such as Forbes and Harper’s Bazaar ART and is a pioneer in integrating NFT technology. She is the first Middle Eastern female artist to venture into the NFT realm. She collaborates with global brands such as Lenovo and Samsung and works from her Onyx Tower studio, sharing regular updates on her website and social media.
Lesuisse is a French creative arts specialist, contributing to Dubai’s growing prominence as a leading cultural and arts hub. She has been working towards making art accessible, especially through her collective ventures with a diverse range of Emirati and UAE-based artists. Born in 1990 in Dubai, Ahli is an established ceramics artist who lives and works from her studio in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. She began learning ceramics in Montreal, Canada, under the founder of Gaia Ceramique, Catherine Auriol. After returning to Dubai in 2017, she continued her own independent experimentation in the medium and uses both wheel throwing and hand building techniques in creating her ceramic ware. Her pieces can be found in various restaurants and cafes across the UAE such as Maisan15 in Dubai and Eggcellent in Abu Dhabi.
Havasi is a Hungarian pianist and composer who has founded musical projects, including compositions for a symphony orchestra, rock drums and piano. kanvas, located on Al Khayat Avenue, Dubai’s newest upcoming cultural district, is an immersive venue and incubator for art-plugged-in projects. Its repertoire includes ground-breaking digital art installations to interactive multimedia experiences and pioneering hybrid phygital exhibitions. Its goal is to bring the latest forms of art to audiences.
