Khalil Joreign & Joana Hafjithomas

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Archaeological excavations were the inspiration for a series of woven tapestries by filmmakers and artists Khalil Joreige and Joana Hadjithomas. Their fascination with archaeologists’ meticulous digging and archiving began with a series of photographs on the wall of their studio. When the studio was destroyed by the explosion in the port of Beirut in 2020, the duo decided to recreate the images as tapestries. The project was intended as a healing process in which the woven fabric would also add to the layers and textures of the treasures uncovered deep in the earth.

Joreige and Hadjithomas came to the lab in 2023 to develop three new designs in this series. The first tapestries, which they made in the lab several years ago, were shown in The Third Line Gallery in Dubai and at In Situ – fabienne leclerc in Romainville, France. In 2024, the latest works, in gold, white and red versions, were also shown there.

Photos by Musthafa Aboobacker
Courtesy of the artits and  The Third Line, Dubai