Tarek Atoui

Tarek Atoui is a Lebanese artist and composer of contemporary works. He melds sound, somatic experiences, and aural sensations to craft his musical compositions.

Biography of Tarek Atoui

Tarek Atoui was born in 1980 in Beirut, Lebanon. In 1998, he obtained a BA from the French National Conservatory of Reims in France. That same year, the artist embarked on composing electronic music.

By 2007, he assumed the role of artistic director at STEIM in Amsterdam. Subsequently, in 2010, he debuted his inaugural solo exhibition, "Un-drum 3," employing his bodily gestures to initiate sound effects.

In 2016, Tarek Atoui was an artist in residence at Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center in Troy, New York. The artist also received the Suzanne Deal Booth/FLAG Art Foundation Prize in 2022. 

He has exhibited his works extensively at numerous galleries worldwide, including Pirelli HangarBicocca in Milan, Kunsthaus Bregenz in Bregenz, GfZK in Leipzig, S.M.A.K in Ghent, Bourse de Commerce in Paris. etc. Atoui's recent solo shows include "The Rain" at Art Sonje Center in Seoul (2023), "Waters' Witness" at MCA Sydney in Sydney (2023), "The Whisperers" at The FLAG Art Foundation in New York (2022), and many more.

Tarek Atoui has also participated in group exhibitions, including the Thailand Biennale 2023, the 14th Gwangju Biennale, the 17th Istanbul Biennial, the 13th Gwangju Biennale, and the 22nd Biennial of Sydney, among others.

Currently, the artist lives and works in Paris, France. 

Tarek Atoui's Art Style

Atoui designs intricate and innovative instruments, in addition to organizing and overseeing interventions, concerts, performances, and workshops. His focus frequently centers on expansive, collaborative performances, which evolve from thorough investigations into music history and instrumentation, while also delving into novel production techniques.

Employing specially crafted electronic instruments and computers, Atoui delves into contemporary social and political landscapes, showcasing music and emerging technologies as potent forms of expression and identity. Education and fostering social connections are fundamental components of Atoui's artistic practice as well.