Raymond Khawam
1924 – 1968, Beirut
Raymond Khawam's expertise spanned the fields of electricity, mechanics, and solar energy. Notably, he held a position of responsibility at Kettaneh establishments, overseeing X-ray installations in the Middle East. His remarkable manual dexterity and creative mind distinguished him in his pursuits.
Among the trailblazing figures in caving, Khawam collaborated with esteemed archaeologists like Sami Karkabi, Lionel Gorra and sculptor Farid Zoghbi, playing a foundational role in establishing Lebanon's first Speleo-Club. He even invented a lightweight winch that facilitated the exploration of the challenging Fouar Dara chasm. Khawam actively participated in numerous expeditions, contributing to the discovery of significant natural wonders such as the underground river of Jeita and the upper galleries.
In the final eight years of his tragically short life, Khawam devoted himself to creating thirty mobiles. These artworks, showcasing his ingenuity and artistic vision, were posthumously exhibited at Gallery Manoug in Beirut in 1968.
About his Work
Khawam held a profound admiration for the work and technique of Alexander Calder, which served as a significant source of inspiration for his own artistic endeavors, particularly in the creation of mobiles, which became his most renowned works. Mobiles, a form of kinetic art, relied on meticulous weighing to achieve suspension in the air. Additionally, Khawam produced stabiles, which, in contrast to mobiles, were stationary sculptures that conveyed a sense of stability. The distinction between stabiles and mobiles was elucidated by Calder himself, who described the experience of interacting with them as walking around or through a stabile, while a mobile would dance in front of the viewer.
To bring his artistic visions to life, Khawam would begin with a simple sketch, which he would then manifest using carefully twisted, distorted, welded, and protected wires coated with paint, rendering the shapes easily discernible. His choice of shapes often incorporated personalized interpretations of prehistoric symbols, drawing inspiration from the captivating nature of speleology.
