Giant Sculpture Placed At Beirut Port To Mark One Year Anniversary Of Deadly Blast

Lebanese artist, Nadim Karam, turns debris from the Beirut blast into a sculpture for the first not-so-happy anniversary of the deadly explosion.

A massive explosion on 4 August 2020 thundered through the city. It levelled through neighbourhoods, killing over 200 people, wounding 6,500 more, and compelling the lives of the survivors.

A 25-meter-tall steel sculpture weighing about 35 tons dubbed “The Gesture” has been designed by the well-known artist and architect Nadim Karam. Karam is popular for his urban art projects worldwide. A large-scale Remembrance Sculpture will now be seen at the ground zero of 4 August.

Karam developed the structure as an act of gesture towards the sadness that marks the people of Beirut a year after the unforgettable tragedy. Even though the project has been supported and praised for its message, not all are equally happy about it.

Image Credits: Foundation for Integral Development – IDF – Facebook

Many have been bashing Karam for The Gesture. The reason is partly its appearance. Some have alleged that politicians were involved with the project and had also been present during the inauguration.

Beirut continues to struggle following the deadly explosion. The country is facing a financial crisis. The World Bank has recognized it to be one of the worst in modern times.

The remarks have been circulating on social media platforms, driving criticism and sparking outrage towards Karam. In response, the artist denied the claim and stressed that no politician, no governmental institution had been involved in this project.

According to the artist, The Gesture is a grass-roots project. It had been constructed over months by professionals who worked Pro-Bono. Since the Beirut explosion had occurred last year, there have been multiple initiatives that made use of debris from the same blast.

Reference: 

Giant Sculpture Placed At Beirut Port To Mark One Year Anniversary Of Deadly Blast appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News