The exhibition pays homage to Farid Trad, an architect-engineer who impacted various aspects of his profession over 43 years, from 1926 to 1969. Educated under French mandate and Ottoman rule, he played a pivotal role in establishing institutions like ALBA and the Order of Engineers and Architects. As a dedicated modernist, he advocated for Beirut's urban planning and addressed social housing issues, while also critiquing the Ecochard plan. Trad, a key figure in the Arab modernity movement, collected artworks from fellow artists, forming a modernist collection that encapsulates the transformative decades between the 1930s and 1960s. The collection reflects a vibrant era frozen just before post-60s Lebanese failures. 

Belonging to a generation marked by historical shifts, Trad was a central figure in Arab modernity, known as 'Mouhandes' among friends who were influential artists. The collection features diverse works, from Elie Kanaan's depictions of rural life to Paul Guiragossian's family scenes, capturing a golden era of change, to other artists like Georges Cyr, Youssef Hoyek, Michel Basbous, Galentz and many others. Rather than imposing a single viewpoint, the artworks highlight each artist's unique journey within early modernism, showcasing both friendships and mentorships among them.