Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige

The films and photographs by artist duo Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige examine the quality of these media to capture and chronicle time and transition. Politicized at an early age by the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990), they question the role of the image in relation to memory and history, by exploring the parameters of image production and its narratives, especially under the condition of war. Focusing on the history of their native country of Lebanon, they employ both fictitious characters and lesser-known strands of history to construct their work’s setting. In a practice that is similar to that of an archeologist, Hadjithomas and Joreige excavate layers of the war-ravaged country’s imaginary aspects by delving into the depths of a social memory marked by amnesia and searching for a personal history of belonging.

At the Haus der Kunst exhibition, a wide range of works by the two artists will be on view for the first time in Germany. These come from more than 15 years of joint artistic practice and illustrate the links between the work complexes. Conceptual, photographic work series will be presented as well as installations and film works, which have in part been developed specifically for this exhibition. Screenings and performances accompany the exhibition.