Lebanese artist and architect Nadim Karam is renowned for his public art and work in urban regeneration and his interventions have been seen in cities as diverse as Melbourne, Prague, Dubai, Beirut, London and Nara, Japan. These interventions often take the form of large-scale steel sculptures, described as ‘urban toys’ by the artist. Says Karam: “Each urban toy has a message. An open message ready to be inhabited by stories which become mingled with history.
In Stretching Thoughts, we are taken on a voyage of Karam’s urban art projects, which transcend social, political and national borders. Additionally, through paintings and sculptures, we accompany his more introspective musings on life, war, dreams and the human condition in the Middle East. Coming from this region where allegiance to symbols has long been a basis for conflict, Karam engages and provokes with an astonishingly original voice.
Lavishly illustrated and beautifully designed this book is the most extensive on an innovative and original artist, architect and writer.