intro
One could argue that photographer Eli Rezkallah was born in an imaginary world, also known as Lebanon, circa 1986. While there’s nothing imaginary about the sectarian conflict and civil war that plagued his native country for decades, Rezkallah lived his formative years sheltered in a picture-perfect beachfront resort on the Lebanese Mediterranean coast, filled with extravagance, fashion, and color, yet surrounded by conflict, anxiety, and trauma. There’s something to be said about living an immaculate childhood that is constantly under threat of annihilation. No matter the false sense of safety, no matter the beauty of one’s immediate surroundings, if the foundation is consistently shaken, how can a child find a proper footing during their most crucial formative years? As every origin story goes, there comes a moment when curiosity for the outside world takes over. When Rezkallah stepped out into the real world, it didn’t take long for him to come to the conclusion that it does not live up to the hype. One look outside his carefully curated bubble was enough to make him ask himself: “Is that all there is?” This book will examine how dark deep-rooted inner conflict can translate into marvelous, vibrant, and whimsical art, through Rezkallah’s arduous journey of self-realization, selfacceptance, and healing.
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