STORY: Lebanese artists struggle to show creations in miniature art
DATELINE: Aug. 18, 2023
LENGTH: 0:07:29
LOCATION: Beirut
CATEGORY: SOCIETY
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of Gaby Kamar and Nada Abdallah working in their workshop 
2. the workshop
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): GABY KAMAR, Miniatures artist
4. the workshop
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): GABY KAMAR, Miniatures artist
6. the workshop
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): NADA ABDALLAH, Miniatures artist
8. the workshop
9. SOUNDBITE 4 (Arabic): NADA ABDALLAH, Miniatures artist
10. the workshop
11. SOUNDBITE 5 (Arabic): NADA ABDALLAH, Miniatures artist
12. the workshop

STORYLINE:

In a small workshop tucked away in Lebanon, Gaby Kamar and Nada Abdallah, two talented artists, dedicate countless hours to their shared passion for creating intricate miniatures of various artistic forms. Their ultimate goal is to bring their captivating artwork into the limelight, captivating art enthusiasts both locally and internationally.

With meticulous attention to detail, Kamar and Abdallah carefully manipulate and assemble small parts to construct their diverse range of designs, all in pursuit of achieving exquisite artwork that leaves a lasting impression on viewers. 

Their creativity knows no bounds as they explore miniature books, sculptures, and other captivating themes, each piece serving as a vessel to convey a profound message rooted in art and culture.

By blending imagination with precision, Kamar and Abdallah aim to ignite a deep appreciation for the arts and foster cultural understanding through their mesmerizing miniature works of art.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): GABY KAMAR, Miniatures artist
"We have two things we are trying to convey: there is the beauty of artwork and culture. All our miniatures include books, music, drawing, and sculpture. We are trying to convey a cultural message, added to the beautiful artistic message."

Kamar said the idea of creating miniatures came up when he retired as an architect in 2015 and he was joined by Nada Abdallah who had quit her job and started with Gaby in a new adventure to create items they loved.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): GABY KAMAR, Miniatures artist
"Gaby Kamar, I am a retired architect; I have been doing this since 2015; I thought of what to do in my retirement period. We used to do models with our hands. I thought of going to more artistic work like miniatures. The situation in the country currently is not helping us financially. We are trying to find a new market outside the country to continue." 

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): NADA ABDALLAH, Miniatures artist
"I was a designer, a fashion designer in the past, then I passed through challenging circumstances, so I quit my work, and I got to know Gaby, and we came up with the idea of opening a shop where we can work together. We started in 2015, and people loved our work. We started at the beginning for fun to do something nice that we love." 

SOUNDBITE 4 (Arabic): NADA ABDALLAH, Miniatures artist
"This work did not, and even now, it is not covering my monthly expenses, but we love our work, and we have a message to convey to people for them to see artists, poets, and writers all in one small box."  

SOUNDBITE 5 (Arabic): NADA ABDALLAH, Miniatures artist
"Every piece represents me because I work from my heart and soul. This is why there are very accurate details that you cannot see except in real life."  

Lebanon has been facing an unprecedented financial crisis, forcing people to opt for creative ideas to be able to make a living and cover their expenses.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beirut.
(XHTV)