FAQs in Art #48

Spring has arrived, a fresh season to watch blossoming trees, a time when you can start over, a blank page on which you’re ready to write a question, perhaps mildly existential, which you’re ready to tackle with courage and determination, a question such as: what is art?

In this special issue, we go back to basics, asking key actors on the Arab art scene to use their knowledge to answer frequently asked questions (FAQs) in art, questions that may appear to be basic but are in fact enlightening. With thanks and deep gratitude, I present to you Aaron Cezar, Adel Abidin, Andrée Sfeir-Semler, Ashkan Baghestani, Basel Dalloul, Deborah Najar, Hormoz Hematian, Mahmoud Obaidi, Manuel Rabaté, Michael Jeha, Mounira El Solh, Nada Shabout, Nadim Karam, Nayla Tamraz, Omar Kholeif, Ramin Salsali, Samia Halaby, Till Fellrath, Sam Bardaouil and
Venetia Porter.

I would like to acknowledge the deep thoughts of every single one of these brilliant contributors, without whom this issue would have not been possible. A personal thank you for making tomorrow’s history!