Lara Habib Kobeissi during a performance of "Nazar" at the V&A South Kensington, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Shubbak festival, in July 2026. (Credit: Daniaal Khalid)
BEIRUT — Lara Habib Kobeissi’s virtual reality (VR) performance “Nazar” is an exciting work of world-building. The project germinated in southern Lebanon, nurtured by the artist’s family and childhood friends. It’s been fed too by the slow violence that southerners have endured for decades.Fertilized by a diverse range of influences — from the extended reality (XR) tools of immersive gaming platforms to the protective recitation practices of southern Lebanon. The London-based Lebanese artist did not build a waste land from this tortured terrain. Nazar is a world of care and healing. More from Jim Ghassan Salhab’s untitled reflections on 2024 “Nazar” premiered earlier this year at the NewImages Festival, where Kobeissi was the co-winner of the Grand Prix and the Impact awards. The piece was recently performed at the V&A South...
BEIRUT — Lara Habib Kobeissi’s virtual reality (VR) performance “Nazar” is an exciting work of world-building. The project germinated in southern Lebanon, nurtured by the artist’s family and childhood friends. It’s been fed too by the slow violence that southerners have endured for decades.Fertilized by a diverse range of influences — from the extended reality (XR) tools of immersive gaming platforms to the protective recitation practices of southern Lebanon. The London-based Lebanese artist did not build a waste land from this tortured terrain. Nazar is a world of care and healing. More from Jim Ghassan Salhab’s untitled reflections on 2024 “Nazar” premiered earlier this year at the NewImages Festival, where Kobeissi was the co-winner of the Grand Prix and the Impact awards. The piece was recently performed at...
