Art comes to the Obegi gardens at ESA

Born from an initiative of the Obegi and Ibrahimcha families and carried out by the architectural office of Raed Abillama, the Henry and Nadège Obegi gardens, inaugurated on June 23, were the scene of the launch of the artistic and cultural season by the vernissage of a magnificent exhibition entitled “Sculptures in the garden”.

Fifteen works, by nine artists, have taken place in this green setting, bringing it an additional soul and inviting reflection and travel. The event was held on Tuesday October 18, 2022, at 5.30 p.m., in the presence of many personalities, some of whom wanted to publicly acknowledge the interest of this exhibition and the dimension it takes on.

– Mr. Maxence Duault, Director General of ESA;
– Mr. Riad Obegi, Chairman of the Board of Banque BEMO;
– Ms. Coralie Zaccar Fadel, head of Fine Art Insurance;
– Mr. Saleh Barakat, gallery owner.

Banque BEMO, initiator of the exhibition, would like to thank all its partners:
– the ESA business school, in the person of Mr. Maxence Duault, as well as his entire team for their invaluable collaboration and dedication;
– Mr. Saleh Barakat, who enthusiastically agreed to undertake this exhibition;
– Commercial Insurance, partner of the Bank in all cultural and artistic events;
– Enoteca and IXSIR, for having graciously offered a tasting of French and Lebanese wines to all the assistance;
as well as all the artists whose works are exhibited.

In his speech, Mr. Duault warmly thanked the organizers of this exhibition which brings these gardens to life, a real place of sharing and rejuvenation, the green lung of the Lebanese capital. He also underlined the importance of the artistic dimension within ESA’s mission to train the leaders of tomorrow, allowing students to gain the height necessary for reflection and spirituality. For Mr. Riad Obegi, “just like the sculptor who, through his art and his hands, breathes the spirit into a shapeless matter, we learn, by walking in this Garden of Eden and admiring these sculptures, to act with spirituality to sculpt Lebanon and ourselves, and thus, all together, come back to life”.
Mr. Saleh Barakat spoke of his desire to create this exhibition to share art in a public and accessible space. It is also an opportunity to improve nature without invading it, as do these sculptures which come to visit this garden “on tiptoe”. He would like art to take more place in our daily lives thanks to such initiatives.
who bring works of art out of their museums, their galleries… to share them with a greater number.

The representative of Commercial Insurance, Ms. Coralie Zaccar Fadel, spoke about the company’s interest in art. Commercial Insurance is “Lebanese art collector and leader in “Fine Art Insurance””. Supporting the various activities of Banque BEMO, one of whose goals is to promote art in all its forms, remains a real pleasure for the company. The latter is also committed to sponsoring insurance policies for works of art for the sake of perpetuating and preserving the imprint of our history and our culture. Fervent believers in this country, the managers of Commercial Insurance will maintain their support for such initiatives capable of stimulating and allowing people to evolve in an enchanting setting.
Many thanks were also addressed to the participating artists, including: Serwan Baran, Anachar Basbous, Ginane Makki Bacho, Bernard Ghanem, Joseph Hourani, Abdul Rahman Katanani, Samar Mogharbel, Hady Sy and Katya Traboulsi.
All the guests were able to take advantage of the guided tour of the exhibition in the company of Saleh Barakat, to the sound of Rolly Ghobril’s orchestra, and then gather around a cocktail.

The exhibition will continue until November 30, in the Henry and Nadège Obegi gardens, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.