Beiruting News

famous artist Jean Boghossian dedicated a unique art piece named "Phoenix" to Phoenicia Hotel in presence of his family and close friends as well as the Hotel owners and managers surrounded by art collectors and journalists.


"Phoenix" art piece is an outstanding sculpture born from the burning process of the 50th anniversary book of Phoenicia that was then treated with a metallization technique symbolizing the rebirth of the mythical Hotel and the city of Beirut.

It all started when one of the owners offered Mr. Boghossian two Phoenicia books, one to use as part of his artistic collection and another that was personalized with a small note that says, "Please do not burn this book". Boghossian used the book to create the "Phoenix" art work that is being unveiled today.

In 2011 Phoenicia exhibited two artworks by Jean Boghossian as part of its 50th anniversary celebration and is honored to announce a new art work created by the prestigious artist and inspired by the Phoenicia book.

''This is an exciting occasion for us" advised Mr. Georg Weinlaender, Area General Manager Phoenicia Hotel, we have a remarkable reputation of displaying unique and original artworks at Phoenicia and this latest new piece by Jean Boghossian will intrigue and delight our guests and visitors"



About Jean Boghossian:Born in 1949, Jean Boghossian grew up and studied in Lebanon. A fine jeweler since 1970 he started painting in 1988 with the purpose of escaping the real world and discovering himself more. He is the founder of The Boghossian Foundation which transformed The Villa Empain in Brussels since 2006 as an art center dedicated to the dialogue of eastern and western cultures.

He joined the academy in Brussels for 15 years where he practiced sculpture and painting. His artwork at first included wrinkling and gluing which led him in 2010 to start experimenting with fire. As per Jean it is through destruction that he constructs. His first burning achievements were with and on papers until he decided to take it on another level and that is when he lit his first book on fire.

"Books were for me like a piece of wood and canvas at first'' says Jean Boghossian, until I realized through the burning process that a book is much more than just a few papers.

Jean Boghossian has exhibited his art work in private exhibitions in several corners of the world starting at Black Box Brussels / Galerie Guy Ledune in 2007 following each year till 2012. Adding to this, Beirut Exhibition center had the honor to expose his work in 2011; Bibliotheca Wittockiana 2013; Galerie Guy Ledune Rivoli and Black Box Bis Brussels 2014.


As for the collective exhibitions that took place in several galleries such as Espace Black Box in Brussels in 2008 and 2009 and 2013; in 2012 Korea had the privilege to greet Mr. Boghossian in the Youngeun Museum of Contemporary Art.