Starting in 2004, Bidoun has stepped up to fill the void of coverage on Middle Eastern art and culture. A collective of artists, critical thinkers, writers, and scholars Bidoun operates on a number of platforms, most noticeably publishing, curating, and educational events. As a literary magazine, the group gives voice to and raises awareness of the movers and shakers of Middle Eastern societies who may fly below the dominant Global radar but have stories worth reporting. In their last issue (#24 Sports) for example, writer Curtis Brown debunks and expands the story of Omar Sharif, the man rumored to have represented Egypt in the 1964 Olympics as a contract bridge player. Although untrue, his real-life endeavors to popularize the sport are far more adventurous than the Olympic fable.
In the art world, Bidoun has curated the work of acclaimed avant-garde artists and featured them in installations around the world. More recent projects include Noise, which opened at the Sfeir-Semler Gallery in Beirut, Forms of Compensation, which opened at Art Dubai, and Bidoun Library 1.0, which was last seen at the New Museum in New York City.
As of last week Bidoun released issue #25. This latest issue and more information on projects and other Bidoun works can be found online at http://www.bidoun.org. If you're in New York City, be sure to visit their Chinatown storefront to experience Bidoun live and get a grasp of the offline activities of this groundbreaking organization.
From the article "Inglorious Bastards" by Meera Subramanian on the art & culture of hunting with birds (# 24 Sports). Photo by George Awde
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