Christmas Art Installation [Jounieh - Lebanon]

“Christmas At War”

Mangers are the modern world's way to visualize the nativity scene, even though they contain lots and lots of discrepancies. People today want mangers to be neat, shiny, and covered with nice finishes, forgetting that the original manger was one of the most humble of places. This symbol of humility and non-materialism is the essence of its existence.

2015 was such an eventful and sad year in the Middle East in general and Lebanon specifically. The war in Syria left a lot of people homeless poor searching for a cover, in fact, Jesus was born in a very similar situation.
Refugees are often rejected cast out and looked down upon; Mary and Joseph were not treated any better in Bethlehem.
Poverty is everywhere and people are living in the cold of winter outside; Jesus's only source of heat was the animals.
Lebanon was filled with trash and due to a never-ending garbage crisis; There is nothing more disgusting than a manger.
War is everywhere and people are persecuted and killed; King Herod was a tyrant who killed every child in Bethlehem so he can stay in power.

Every element in the manger symbolizes one of these metaphors. Trash, wires , dirt etc ... This manger was not made to look good, it was made so we can look at it and remember that there always is hope. So if Jesus was born today... he would be born out of our reality that is the true meaning of Christmas.

Project Type: Religious Art Installation
Location:  St Maroon Church - Jounieh
Discipline:  Art Installation
Project Date: 2015
Tasks Undertaken: Concept - Design - Execution