Khalil Joreige
Pioneer of Memory and Representation
Date of Birth:
1969
Beirut, Lebanon
Place of Birth:
Why Featured?
Khalil Joreige, alongside his partner Joana Hadjithomas, has significantly contributed to the Palestinian cause through his artistic exploration of memory, history, and identity, particularly in relation to the Lebanese Civil War and its impact on the Palestinian community.
Brief bio
Khalil Joreige is a Lebanese filmmaker and artist whose work, often in collaboration with Joana Hadjithomas, delves into the complexities of memory, history, and the representation of conflict. Through his projects, Joreige examines the intersection of personal and collective histories, especially focusing on the Palestinian experience in the context of Lebanese society and the broader Middle Eastern narrative.
Major Milestones
Contributions
Born in Beirut, Lebanon (1969): Grew up during the Lebanese Civil War, a period that heavily influenced his later work in exploring memory and conflict.
Collaborated with Joana Hadjithomas (1990s): Began a long-term collaboration with Hadjithomas, producing films and artworks that explore themes of history, memory, and identity.
Produced Khiam 2000-2007 (2008): A powerful documentary exploring the lives of detainees in the Khiam detention camp in South Lebanon, run by Israeli-backed forces. The film is a profound reflection on resistance, survival, and the human spirit under occupation (Kapitel Bollwerk) (Sharjah Art Foundation).
Exhibited at Major International Venues: Their works have been showcased globally, including at the Sharjah Art Foundation, Jeu de Paume in Paris, and the Venice Biennale, highlighting their critical examination of the socio-political issues in the Arab world.
Awarded the Marcel Duchamp Prize (2017): This prestigious award recognized their significant contributions to contemporary art, further cementing their influence on global art and the discourse around the Middle East (Sharjah Art Foundation).
Exploration of Palestinian Detention: Khiam 2000-2007 stands as a critical work in documenting the experiences of Palestinian and Lebanese detainees, shedding light on the harsh realities of Israeli occupation.
Interrogation of Historical Narratives: Through their art and film, Joreige and Hadjithomas challenge the conventional representations of history, particularly focusing on how conflicts like the Lebanese Civil War and the Palestinian struggle are remembered and depicted. [Watch here: https://youtu.be/r-dtL5X-gCc?si=MbCUS_riJzXTDApC ]
Amplification of Marginalized Voices: Their work consistently brings to the forefront the stories of those often silenced or overlooked, including Palestinians living under occupation and in refugee camps.
Innovative Artistic Techniques: Joreige’s use of mixed media—blending photography, video, installation, and documentary film—pushes the boundaries of how history and memory can be explored and represented in art.
Influence on Middle Eastern Contemporary Art: Joreige’s contributions have significantly shaped contemporary art discourse in the Arab world, influencing how artists engage with themes of conflict, memory, and identity in the context of Palestine and beyond.
Date of Last Update:
September 3, 2024
See similar profiles
Show your support — share their legacy with your friends & followers!