Well known street art crew Ashekman, just announced an ambitious new project they're working on in Beirut: a huge Arabic calligraffiti of the word سلام ("salam" peace in Arabic) painted on rooftops across the city.
Announcing the project on Instagram Ashekman's founders, Mohamed and Omar Kabbani wrote: "We're so proud to announce that this concept will finally see light after 2 years of logistic preparation."
Explaining the goal behind their latest venture, they add:
"Beirut witnessed several civil wars and aggressions during the past decades. External propagandas are still portraying our hometown as a war zone while this is far from reality. With this gigantic #Arabic #calligraffiti of the word سلام (peace in Arabic) painted on rooftops of @ouzville and viewed from space, we want to convey a bold and positive message to the rest of the world (and aliens from space) that Lebanon is a country of diversity, tolerance and peace."
In further comments on their social media pages, the twin brothers behind Ashekman said that the whole painting/coloration process will be documented and shared with people across the Arab world.
Here's a sneak peek into the ambitious project:
People are in love with the idea
Ashekman... turning grey neighborhoods into colorful ones
Established in Beirut in 2001 by twin brothers Mohamed & Omar Kabbani, Ashekman is an Arabic street art concept that includes "Arabic Graffiti, Calligraffiti, Arabic rap music and Arabic street wear."
The mission behind their work is to revive the rich culture and heritage of the Arab world through art and to create visually appealing masterpieces out of Arabic calligraphy.
Together the duo have been working on slowly turning grey neighborhoods into colorful ones, not only in Lebanon but in other Arab countries as well.
Here's a look at some previous projects
