Remarkable Lebanese photograph album delves into the nostalgic recollection of a native homeland
News Article: "Not Here Not There" - A Poignant Photographic Exploration of Displacement and Memory
The photography book "Not Here Not There" by Lebanese artist Charbel Alkhoury is a powerful and poignant exploration of urban spaces, particularly Beirut, his birthplace. Published by the independent book publisher Middle East Archive, this significant work delves into themes of memory, identity, and urban transformation, offering a reflective, interpretive visual narrative on place and displacement through photography.
Alkhoury, who is based in Brussels, combines his background in photography and multimedia with a master's degree in fine arts to create a body of work that bridges artistic exploration and cultural documentation. The images in "Not Here Not There" evoke an urgent, raw energy and appear hazy and disoriented, inviting viewers to interpret these physical spaces in personal and varied ways.
The book reflects on the memory of home and the experience of seeking asylum, conveying the poignant emotional ache related to notions of belonging and absence, which is especially resonant in the context of Lebanese urban environments marked by conflict and change. The photographs in the book, which span three cities - Byblos, Zouk Mosbeh, and Beirut - mirror the emotional tension Alkhoury feels as an asylum seeker.
One series in the book stands out for its quiet intensity, featuring images taken from Alkhoury's Beirut home with a pair of glasses over the lens. These images read like unfiltered recollections, unembellished and unposed, reflecting the emptiness and fragmentation Alkhoury felt during the creation of the book.
Protest scenes are included in "Not Here Not There", making the sense of turbulence palpable. They are the only photographs to feature people, adding a layer of urgency and raw emotion to the collection.
Alkhoury candidly shares memories from his past, such as sweaty nights outside bars, long summer days at the beach, and protesting in the streets. These personal recollections add depth and authenticity to the book, making it a compelling piece within contemporary photography and Middle Eastern cultural archives.
"Not Here Not There" marks a physical and emotional pause for Alkhoury, as he grapples with the reality of his displacement and the memories of his home. He hopes that the book will provoke reflection on what it means to leave, remember, and carry fragments of home with you, even when you're far from it.
"Not Here Not There" spans 88 pages and brings together Alkhoury's final memories of home before his departure. The process of putting together the book was emotional and unplanned, resulting in a deeply personal and vulnerable portrait of displacement and remembrance.
The book is available for purchase at middleastarchive.com for 35€. Alkhoury is also working on two new research-led projects that blend video and installation, one exploring occult practices as forms of resistance, and the other still in its early stages.
[1] Middle East Archive. (n.d.). Charbel Alkhoury - Not Here Not There. Retrieved from https://middleeastarchive.com/shop/charbel-alkhoury-not-here-not-there/
[2] Alkhoury, C. (2021, May 19). Charbel Alkhoury: Not Here Not There. Retrieved from https://www.frieze.com/article/charbel-alkhoury-not-here-not-there
[3] Sfeir-Semler Gallery. (n.d.). Charbel Alkhoury. Retrieved from https://www.sfeir-semler.com/artists/charbel-alkhoury
[4] Al-Sabah Al-Khalid, D. (2021, June 1). Charbel Alkhoury's 'Not Here Not There' is a Quiet, Vulnerable Portrait of Displacement and Remembrance. Retrieved from https://hyreemag.com/charbel-alkhourys-not-here-not-there-is-a-quiet-vulnerable-portrait-of-displacement-and-remembrance/
[5] Alkhoury, C. (2021). Not Here Not There. Retrieved from https://www.middleeastarchive.com/shop/charbel-alkhoury-not-here-not-there/
[1] The poignant visual narrative in Charbel Alkhoury's book, "Not Here Not There," reflects on the lifestyle changes and challenges of displacement, especially in the context of home-and-garden settings, as evidenced by some personal recollections of nights outside bars and long summer days at the beach.
[2] Charbel Alkhoury's work, "Not Here Not There," presents a unique blend of artistic exploration and cultural documentation, delving into themes such as memory, identity, and urban transformation, not only focusing on public spaces but also private ones such as homes, highlighting the home-and-garden aspects of his birthplace, Beirut.
