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Published 19:44 IST, October 31st 2020

Beirut port explosion: Lebanese artist creates 'woman of the world' out of rubble

Almost three months after a massive explosion hit Beirut, a Lebanese artist has created an inspiring sculpture using the leftover rubble

Reported by: Riya Baibhawi
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Beirut port explosion: Lebanese artist creates 'woman of the world' out of rubble
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Almost three months after a massive explosion hit Beirut, a Lebanese artist has created an inspiring sculpture using its rubble. Called ‘Lady of the world’ the structure is created with remains of the balst like clocks, photo frames, wooden carvings, wires inter alia. Hayat Nazer, who created the masterpiece reckoned that the sculpture would remind the next generations about the tragic explosion as well as inspire today’s people to unite and resurrect.  

‘Lady of the World’

Speaking to CNN, the 33-year-old artist said that the explosion broke her heart and she was traumatized like all other Lebanese people. She joined hands with authorities to clean the city. It was during that period when she first got the idea of using the leftover things to make a statue that could “inspire and unite others”.

Read: Beirut Explosion: UN Calls For Independent Investigation As Death Toll Continues To Rise

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

She will be leaving the port in few days, as I am worried some government protestors might burn or destroy her like they did to the #Phoenix of the #Revolution in Martyr Square... I have to protect her for now, but I wish to create a much bigger replica that would be long lasting and to be hopefully located at the port, carrying items from people’s homes, and souvenirs from the people we lost at the explosion, with their names and memories, to stay, for future generations to come and see what happened to us on the 4th of August 2020... A memorial, a tribute for all of us who are traumatized here, this is a transformative art that aims at acknowledging the truth and the pain, to preserve the memories, but also to regain strength and rise again from our own ashes, to fight for the truth, for our dreams and future... We will never forget, never forgive.. but we will rise, carrying our own wounds and stories yet spreading positivity and change all over the world wherever we go... Maybe through #Art we can make the #Change we wish to see in this #World - Thanks to everyone of you who encouraged and inspired me, my public art is a blend of myself and everyone around me ❤️ so much Love Photo credit by @eliebekhazi

A post shared by ~ V ~ (@hayat_nazer_v) on

Following the realization, she started making rounds of the city, collecting everything from twisted pieces of metal to broken glass and even asked people to contribute to the statue and be a part of it. Elaborating on it, she revealed that people were kind and gave away things with material and emotional value, things from the time of civil war and things they had saved for their kids.

Collecting all the material and putting it together, she finally achieved her aim, creating a woman sculpture, which could be seen raising the Lebanese flag. In addendum, the woman is seen donning long hair and a dress. The sculpture, even features a damaged clock stuck at 6:08, the moment of the explosion.

Read: Beirut: Police Fire Tear Gas To Disperse Protesters Blocking A Road Near Parliament

What happened in Beirut?

A colossal explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 4 killing over 100 and injuring over four thousand people. An investigation to find the exact trigger of the explosion is underway, however, officials are blaming tons of ammonium nitrate stored inside the safe house for the destruction. Recently, country’s Prime minister Hassan Diab revealed that‘ the dangerous warehouse, which exploded stored 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate for the past 6 years.

Read: Beirut Blast: 19th Century Palace That Withstood 2 World Wars Reduced To Debris; See Pics

Read: Beirut Explosion: UN Calls For Independent Investigation As Death Toll Continues To Rise


Image credits: hayat_nazer_v/Instagram 

19:44 IST, October 31st 2020