The Panoptikum project, a multidisciplinary initiative curated by Ayça Okay and created by Nathalie Rey, will launch its Lebanese segment with the exhibition Traces of a Fragile Memory – Prelude to the Panoptikum Project. The exhibition, opening in ZICO House Beirut, Lebanon, will present a carefully chosen selection of videos showcasing Pink Bunny’s previous performances alongside newer works. Before the exhibition, the main focus of the project was a short film that captured Pink Bunny’s journey. Filming started in Istanbul in September 2024, moved to Spain in January 2025, and will be wrapped up in Beirut in May 2025. The final part of the filming will highlight locations with profound historical importance, including abandoned orphanages, sites where stray dogs were deported, cemeteries, and landfills, exploring themes of collective memory and historical trauma. The Panoptikum project is inspired by the philosophical concepts of Michel Foucault’s Panopticon, linked to the dynamics of surveillance and control in modern society, and also draws on Karl Valentin’s Dadaist museum, Panoptikum. This surreal space, where his eccentric mind, absurd humor, and playful linguistic deconstructions took material form, embodied a fusion of grotesque, irony, and social critique—resonating with the project's exploration of marginalization and exclusion. This exhibition is part of a larger international initiative spanning Spain, Turkey, France, Germany, and Lebanon, including multiple exhibitions, workshops, and a publication. Pink Bunny, a hybrid character that blends human and plush toy, takes center stage in this ongoing exploration of contemporary society, initiated by Rey and Okay in their previous collaboration, Rabbits. Through the character, Rey critically addresses the modern world's contradictions, juxtaposing a seemingly innocent figure with harsh realities to examine societal issues.

In addition to the video works, the Beirut exhibition will serve as a precursor to the final filming phase of the Panoptikum project, which will take place in May 2025. Filming will occur in historically and culturally rich sites across Beirut, including the long-abandoned mansion of a former prime minister, untouched for years, and parking lots built over the ruins of bombed-out buildings—sites that represent the tension between historical erasure and resilience. These locations will provide a powerful setting for the ongoing narrative of Pink Bunny, exploring themes of wandering, memory, and isolation. The Panoptikum project is supported by a range of prestigious institutions across Spain, Turkey, France, Germany, and Lebanon.

The project will continue to evolve in response to each hosting location, fostering collaborations with local collectives and communities to ensure a dynamic, site-specific experience. The curatorial team, consisting of architect and curatorial assistant Simay Karadoğan, founder of Lynn Modallal Gallery and curator Lynn Modallal, and interior architect Rabih Ammoury of Ammoury Casa, will serve as the official accommodation sponsor for the Panoptikum project. Renowned for his unique design vision and attention to detail, Ammoury’s involvement will ensure the provision of comfortable and inspiring spaces for the project’s team and collaborators.

This partnership highlights Ammoury Casa’s dedication to supporting the arts and promoting a creative, collaborative environment. The Traces of a Fragile Memory exhibition in Beirut invites visitors to engage with the interplay of history, memory, and identity, reflecting on Beirut’s complex past and the fragility of human experience. The exhibition will offer an opportunity to witness Pink Bunny’s evolving journey and its exploration of memory, space, and survival. For more information on the Traces of a Fragile Memory exhibition, please visit: https://zicohouse-beirut.com About Nathalie Rey Nathalie Rey is a French artist who works in Barcelona, Berlin, and Istanbul. Her work tackles a wide range of sensitive issues from both a critical and playful perspective. Her work has been shown in numerous solo exhibitions, including Performistanbul, Gate 27, and Montag (Turkey), GlogauAIR and Vorfluter (Berlin), the Arranz-Bravo Foundation and the Fàbrica de les Arts Roca Umbert (Catalonia), as well as in several galleries in Europe, including Alalimón (Barcelona), La Grey (Tarragona), and Woldt (London/Hamburg).