Zalfa Halabi Art Gallery is proud to present Suspended ( معلّق ), a minimalist and conceptual installation that invites viewers to reflect on themes of absence, suspension, and the interconnectedness of work, art, and life. This unique exhibition responds to the intensified events of the past months in Lebanon, offering a space for contemplation rather than resolution.

The Arabic title, معلّق , translates literally to 'hanging' or 'on pause.' It holds deep significance in the collective experience of Lebanon, where ta'leek has become an all-too-familiar term in recent times, frequently heard in news reports announcing the suspension of schools, workplaces, and daily activities. This state of suspension inspired much of the concept behind the installation, mirroring the uncertainty and stillness that continues to permeate cultural and social life.

The installation features a series of suspended and scattered frames, all sourced from Imad Abu Rizk, the owner of Coin D’Art, a family-run framing business. The frames, originally intended to be recycled, symbolize the interconnected network of professions impacted by this state of suspension. As a gallerist, my work is deeply tied to framers like Imad, to artists, and to all those who contribute to the art ecosystem. When one part of this network is paused, the ripple effects are felt throughout the entire community.

Displayed as a vitrine-style installation, Suspended transforms the gallery into a stage of suspended frames—some hanging delicately in mid-air, others scattered on the ground—evoking a powerful sense of tension, fragility, and movement. By prohibiting physical

entry, the installation underscores the boundaries between presence and absence, inviting viewers to confront the space and its contents from a distance.

Through this act of confronting emptiness, Suspended does not just ask viewers to look at the frames but also to look beyond them—to imagine, to interpret, and to find meaning in what is left unsaid.

Zalfa Halabi Art Gallery invites audiences to experience Suspended ( معلّق ) as both a visual and conceptual intervention—a reminder that art, even when paused, can challenge, inspire, and provoke thought.