LINA SANEH: I HAD A DREAM, MOM

23 February to 22 March 2008

Lower Gallery, Modern Art Oxford

“One day, one night, rather, I have a dream; I tell it to my mother; she understands. She throws the ball back into my court; I fail to catch it…”

Modern Art Oxford presents a new video work by Beirut-based theatre and performance artist Lina Saneh. A mother listens to her daughter recount a strange dream of a deserted city haunted by ghosts and interrogates her on its meaning.

Suzanne Cotter, Acting Director and Senior Curator at Modern Art Oxford, said, “This presentation of Lina Saneh’s new video reflects Modern Art Oxford’s ongoing commitment to working with artists in Beirut and the region.”

Lina Saneh: I Had a Dream, Mom follows the success of Out of Beirut at Modern Art Oxford in 2006, the UK’s most comprehensive exhibition of work by artists emerging from Beirut to date, incorporating a symposium, a programme of performances and film screenings and a publication.

Born in Beirut in 1966, Lina Saneh has written, directed and acted in numerous plays, among them: Les Chaises, 1996; Extrait d’Etat Civil, 2000; Biokhraphia, 2002 and Appendice, 2007. While in earlier work Saneh focused on physical theatre as an expression of the body imprinted by war, her more recent theatre pieces question the social and political conflicts and contradictions of the Middle East region.

I Had a Dream, Mom is Saneh’s first video work.

Lina Saneh is the third artist to participate in Modern Art Oxford’s new encounters programme, which includes exhibitions, displays, talks, activities and special events with the aim of inspiring more people to enjoy and engage with contemporary art.

Lina Saneh will be in conversation with Suzanne Cotter on Wednesday 5 March, 6.30pm at Modern Art Oxford. Admission £3/Free to Friends and concessions. To book call 01865 813800.

Modern Art Oxford, 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm, Closed Mondays. Admission Free.

For further details please visit www.modernartoxford.org.uk or call 01865 722733.

Ends

For further press information and images please contact Sara Dewsbery, Press & Marketing Officer on 01865 813813, email sara.dewsbery@modernartoxford.org.uk

Download the Exhibition Guide here.

encounters is supported by the David Elliott Fund

Press contact

For further press information and images please contact Sara Dewsbery on 01865 813813.


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