Takeover: Artist-Led Project Space for Experimental Programming

Takeover is a multi-disciplinary artist-led project space situated in Beirut, Lebanon. Founded in 2022 by artist Ieva Saudargaitė Douaihi, the initiative was conceived as a platform for dynamic and experimental programming that engages directly with the local creative community. Takeover operates as a versatile environment, frequently transitioning between a studio, a gallery, a workshop, and a screening room to accommodate a wide array of artistic practices. Its mission is to foster a space where local and emerging artists can experiment, collaborate, and share knowledge through artist-led workshops and research-based projects. The space is particularly noted for its responsiveness to the socio-political landscape of Beirut, encouraging artists to respond to the complexities and challenges of the urban environment. Through its diverse programming, Takeover activates its surrounding neighborhood and facilitates a dialogue between contemporary art and the public sphere. The project space emphasizes the importance of knowledge transmission and collective growth, making it a vital hub for cultural production and artistic resilience in the city. By prioritizing process and experimentation over traditional gallery models, Takeover provides a unique venue for artists to explore new narratives and investigative methodologies within the built environment and beyond.