*We Design Beirut – November 2025*

Exhibition: Presence of Absence
Location: Villa Audi, Beirut

Presence of Absence is a sculptural totem created by Hala Salem for the second edition of We Design Beirut.

This piece is a tribute to Beirut, a city layered with memory, resilience, and paradox. Using a palette inspired by worn rooftops and weathered facades, and featuring engraved texts from iconic Lebanese authors, the work invites reflection on what defines a place beyond the visible.

The totem attracted photographers, designers, and visitors who engaged with its quiet symbolism and material richness. It sparked dialogue around heritage, identity, and the role of design in narrating complex histories.