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Photographer captures surrealist post-explosion Beirut at Dubai art show

Surreal silos and ruins of ancient buildings are the subjects of the new series of works by Dia Mrad, recently presented at the biggest art fair in the Middle East.

Courtesy of Dia Mrad and Zawyeh Gallery
— Courtesy of Dia Mrad and Zawyeh Gallery

“Walking into the palace, I saw the main entrance door blown apart. I decided to go in," said Lebanese photographer Dia Mrad. “I walked inside carefully, not wanting to touch anything or tamper with the ‘crime scene.’ I was also scared that something might fall on me. It felt like I went inside the building but didn’t step inside.”

Mrad is talking of the experience of shooting "The Road to Reframe," a photo series capturing local architecture after the explosion at the Beirut port on Aug. 4, 2020, and one of the most interesting works that has been presented at the 8th edition of Art Dubai, the biggest art event of the Middle East held at the Dubai World Trade Center on March 16-19. 

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