An old house stands overlooking the sea. Its rose facade with peeling paint are signs of the wear and tear of the years. Many people who have walked down Beirut's corniche are familiar with this building because of its eye-catching presence. And yet will this architectural gem from yesteryear continue to stand the test of time or will it share the same fate as many of Beirut's traditional homes which have been torn down only to be replaced by highrises? Tom Young, an English artist residing in Beirut is keen to find an answer to this pressing question. Not only to preserve Lebanese heritage, identity and architecture, but as a way of showing how these landmark old buildings can be transformed into public spaces that can enrich the community. Public spaces that can be places of exchange and creativity and where you can meet people you don't usually meet.
This prompted Tom Young to organize an exhibition (alongside many cool events and performances) at this iconic building: the Rose House . He wanted to "defend the process of wholesale destruction and construction of buildings that are primarily motivated by greed." How? "By finding beautiful buildings and using art to bring life back into these empty spaces." Young believes that buildings are nothing without people. "It's about how these buildings are used and they should be open to the public, like they are in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. There's an opportunity to do this in Beirut and I can be a catalyst for this."
This is not the first exhibition Young has orchestrated at an old house. He had one called ' Carousel ' at Villa Paradiso in Gemmayze in May-June 2013. The talented artist feels a strong personal connection with these historical homes and enjoys working in these spaces. In fact this current exhibition is an installation. A catalog of Young's experience working in that building. A commentary about time: the past, present and future embodied in history, in today and in what the building can become.
When Young was working at Villa Paradiso, the house had no residents. It was full of ghosts. This time however, Fayza El Khazen was still living at the Rose House. She was in the process of packing up to leave this home her family had been living in for the past 50 years. Her brother, Sami El-Khazen had been a talented architect and painter who died in 1988 and in a sense Young being there revived the spirit of artistic creation the walls of this old home had witnessed before.
The entire exhibition not only showcases Tom Young's highly expressive work, but also pays tribute to the families who lived there in the past: the Khazens and the Ardatis. It also tells the story of the visitors. The second you step into the Rose House you are sucked into a total experience. One that embraces art, human stories, multiple time periods and poses thought-provoking questions about where we are heading and what sort of legacy will we leave for future generations.
The Rose House could mark a continuation of flourishing culture should the new owner decide to transform it into a permanent public arts and events space. Or it could mark the triumph of the dollar and be torn down to make way for a tower.
But what counts is trying to make a difference and using art as a form of engagement.
Tom Young's quest doesn't stop here. In 2015, he will fly to New York to meet the family that left Villa Paradiso 38 years ago to flee the civil war. A family that in turn fled to Lebanon to escape from the Armenian genocide. He will be taking with him the items he found abandoned at their old address in Gemmayze. And here a new story of displacement, resettling and reunion will unravel.
Visit the Rose House by watching this video: