Mayssa Kanaan is a researcher, designer and cultural consultant based between Beirut and Dubai. Her research and practice weaves forgotten histories, people and crafts, exploring connections with storytellers, lands, and human bodies. She sometimes sketches, experiments with clay and plaster, sources natural materials from forests, and most recently, weaves tapestries.
Mayssa graduated from the American University of Beirut with a bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture, worked at a Najla El Zein’s design studio, and pursued an MA in Contemporary Art Practice to deepen her understanding in public sphere practices and theory at the Royal College of Art in London. Her distinction-awarded thesis, ‘Notes on Activating an Archive’ analyzed archival practices in the SWANA region and received a Mophradat Grants for Artists to develop a digital archive of collected objects, titled The Common Library.
Here is a compilation of works that have been produced since her time at AUB, until now, exploring the arts in all its forms, from research to material exploration.
![]()
Mayssa graduated from the American University of Beirut with a bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture, worked at a Najla El Zein’s design studio, and pursued an MA in Contemporary Art Practice to deepen her understanding in public sphere practices and theory at the Royal College of Art in London. Her distinction-awarded thesis, ‘Notes on Activating an Archive’ analyzed archival practices in the SWANA region and received a Mophradat Grants for Artists to develop a digital archive of collected objects, titled The Common Library.
Here is a compilation of works that have been produced since her time at AUB, until now, exploring the arts in all its forms, from research to material exploration.
“The practice of collecting and more pricesely of collecting the uncanny, finds its urgency and relevance» - Walid Sadek, “Collecting the Uncanny and the Labour of Missing”, Archives, Museums and Collecting Practices in the Modern Arab World, 2016.
My urge for collecting and storing objects in the basement of my house only started in 2016 and significantly grew since then. In a country where there is limited effort to archive and preserve our heritage, artists, historians and other individuals have taken the initiative to informally collect and document what is left within Beirut’s cultural context. That would include oral histories, interviews with residents of different old neighborhoods in Beirut, objects or photographs. It almost became an individual’s or citizen’s “duty” to collect as much information and stories as possible and to not forget what has once reigned in the city.
An online platform, The Common Library, was created as an attempt to store and collect instances from the city’s architectural heritage through oral narratives, downloadble images, community forum, and sharable items. (Password: tcl)
Publications: Eyesore Issue 5, House of Common Affairs Issue 1
Thank you to Mophradat for supporting this project.
My urge for collecting and storing objects in the basement of my house only started in 2016 and significantly grew since then. In a country where there is limited effort to archive and preserve our heritage, artists, historians and other individuals have taken the initiative to informally collect and document what is left within Beirut’s cultural context. That would include oral histories, interviews with residents of different old neighborhoods in Beirut, objects or photographs. It almost became an individual’s or citizen’s “duty” to collect as much information and stories as possible and to not forget what has once reigned in the city.
An online platform, The Common Library, was created as an attempt to store and collect instances from the city’s architectural heritage through oral narratives, downloadble images, community forum, and sharable items. (Password: tcl)
Publications: Eyesore Issue 5, House of Common Affairs Issue 1
Thank you to Mophradat for supporting this project.
Arabayeh
2020
2020
In collaboration with Ramzi Alieh. Cart/Arabayeh is a mobile structure that gives people the means to display collected objects in the public realm. By doing so, it aspires to create a space for display and discussion about social and cultural heritage.
Cart/Arabayeh is conceived as a place to explore growing and changing collections. As such, its design encourages user feedback and personal alterations in order to continuously explore different ways of sharing eclectic archives.
Wholly made out of cardboard, the structure and its add-ons can easily be built by following the how-to guide and using tools widely found in most households. To download the manuals in pdf, dwg and 3dm formats, please contact me.
![]()
![]()
![]()
Cart/Arabayeh is conceived as a place to explore growing and changing collections. As such, its design encourages user feedback and personal alterations in order to continuously explore different ways of sharing eclectic archives.
Wholly made out of cardboard, the structure and its add-ons can easily be built by following the how-to guide and using tools widely found in most households. To download the manuals in pdf, dwg and 3dm formats, please contact me.
In 2020, as part of the largest regional art fairs in the Arab World, an indepth publication was developed to research, map and analyze the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Through workshops, client-facing meetings and stakeholder interviews, a set of sector-specific recommendations for Dubai’s evolving culture sector was visually communicated in a 200-page report.
Other strategic and research projects were developed and delivered between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, but are confidential.
![]()
![]()
![]()
Through workshops, client-facing meetings and stakeholder interviews, a set of sector-specific recommendations for Dubai’s evolving culture sector was visually communicated in a 200-page report.
Other strategic and research projects were developed and delivered between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, but are confidential.
Inhabiting the Streets
2016
2016
According to UN-Habitat, Beirut has only 0.8 m2 of green space per capita, when the minimum should be a minimum of 9 m2.
As part of my final year project during my BA, the following proposal acts as a prototype for old neighborhoods to reclaim their heritage by investigating its streets and stairways as being potential open public spaces.
The case proposed takes place in Mar Mikhael, an old neighborhood located in Beirut, traditionally known for its railway station. Its urban fabric is defined by narrow streets, multiple stairways, small shops and variety of craftsmen.
With gentrification and private development slowly creeping into the neighborhood, its history is disappearing with the displacement of its long-term residents and the destruction of its old traditional houses.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
As part of my final year project during my BA, the following proposal acts as a prototype for old neighborhoods to reclaim their heritage by investigating its streets and stairways as being potential open public spaces.
The case proposed takes place in Mar Mikhael, an old neighborhood located in Beirut, traditionally known for its railway station. Its urban fabric is defined by narrow streets, multiple stairways, small shops and variety of craftsmen.
With gentrification and private development slowly creeping into the neighborhood, its history is disappearing with the displacement of its long-term residents and the destruction of its old traditional houses.
Transition
2018
2018
Transition is Najla El Zein’s debut solo exhibition at Friedman Benda Gallery, New York, in February 2019.
The exhibition ‘Transition’ included three different series: Distortion, Pillars and Seduction, which are influenced by the underlying themes of sensuality, desire and the subconscious.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
The exhibition ‘Transition’ included three different series: Distortion, Pillars and Seduction, which are influenced by the underlying themes of sensuality, desire and the subconscious.
‘Dikkeni’ is nonprofit platform showcasing emerging Lebanese artists, artisans and designers. Founded by a small group of women at initiative incubator Impact Lebanon, we were able to capitalise on the diverse skill set and expertise amongst the group to build our concept from the ground up.
Its curation merges social impact with design, featuring a selection of handcrafted pieces and art.
![]()
![]()
Its curation merges social impact with design, featuring a selection of handcrafted pieces and art.
Education:
2021 - University of Arts London (UAL), London
Certificate in Design Thinking (Virtual)
2018/2020 - Royal College of Art (RCA), London
MA in Contemporary Art Practice: Public Sphere Pathway
2012/2016 - American University of Beirut (AUB), Beirut
BA in Landscape Architecture
Certificate in Design Thinking (Virtual)
2018/2020 - Royal College of Art (RCA), London
MA in Contemporary Art Practice: Public Sphere Pathway
2012/2016 - American University of Beirut (AUB), Beirut
BA in Landscape Architecture
Professional Experience:
2022/ongoing - Cultural Consultant, AEA Consulting, Dubai/London
2020/2022 - Freelance Cultural Consultant, Dubai
Squint Opera (UK), Alcove Advisors (UAE), Art Dubai Group (UAE), AEA Consulting (UK)
2016/2018 - Designer, Najla El Zein Studio, Beirut
2020/2022 - Freelance Cultural Consultant, Dubai
Squint Opera (UK), Alcove Advisors (UAE), Art Dubai Group (UAE), AEA Consulting (UK)
2016/2018 - Designer, Najla El Zein Studio, Beirut
Personal Projects:
2019/ongoing - The Common Library
Recipient of Mophradat Grant for Artists 2020.
A digital platform investigating Lebanon’s architectural heritage through collected objects, video and oral narratives.
2020/2022 - Dikkeni
Co-founded an online concept store supporting emerging Lebanese artists, designers and artisans and managed artist liaisons.
Recipient of Mophradat Grant for Artists 2020.
A digital platform investigating Lebanon’s architectural heritage through collected objects, video and oral narratives.
2020/2022 - Dikkeni
Co-founded an online concept store supporting emerging Lebanese artists, designers and artisans and managed artist liaisons.
Workshops:
2019 - How to...Curate an Exhibition - Archive Displays, Whitechapel Gallery, London, UK
Explored the role of a curator in organizing exhibitions with a focus on archival displays.
2015 - El Casc Workshop, Villena, Spain
Led the team’s onsite analysis on the old town’s landscape heritage.
2015 - IVHQ Volunteers - House Renovation, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Co-worked with locals to renovate houses using traditional sustainable techniques.
Explored the role of a curator in organizing exhibitions with a focus on archival displays.
2015 - El Casc Workshop, Villena, Spain
Led the team’s onsite analysis on the old town’s landscape heritage.
2015 - IVHQ Volunteers - House Renovation, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Co-worked with locals to renovate houses using traditional sustainable techniques.
Publications:
2022 - Eyesore Issue 05
The Common Library
2020 - House of Common Affairs Issue 01
The Common Library
The Common Library
2020 - House of Common Affairs Issue 01
The Common Library
Skills:
Software
Adobe Suite (Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, Figma
Languages
Arabic (fluent), English (fluent), French (fluent)
Adobe Suite (Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, Figma
Languages
Arabic (fluent), English (fluent), French (fluent)