A war of colors : graffiti and street art in postwar Beirut / Nadine A. Sinno.

First edition.

Austin : University of Texas Press, 2024.

©2024

xii, 293 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm

"Street art and graffiti have a long, rich history in the Middle East, but they have become especially important over the last couple of decades as wars, revolutions, and unrest have inspired artists to engage with the rapidly changing social dynamics of the region. Sinno, a child of Lebanon's Civil War that ended in 1990, examines the various ways that such art has been used in postwar Beirut and how it "articulates the contesting voices, sociopolitical events, cries of help, moments of hope, and acts of protest that characterized the country's ordinary and extraordinary moments." Through the chapters, Sinno analyzes how street art can reclaim and transform cityscapes that were damaged or destroyed during the war, give voice to women and LGBTQ people who are often neglected, honor cultural icons, protest government and police corruption, draw attention to concerns such as climate change or sectarianism, and spur activism. She also looks at how Beiruti graffiti engages with concerns outside of Lebanon, including the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Arab Spring, and the Armenian Genocide"-- Provided by publisher.

English

May 02, 2024

Includes bibliographical references and index.