The exhibition is part of an international project by book artists to respond to the tragic bombing of Al-Mutanabbi Street in Baghdad on March 5, 2007. The Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here exhibition is a tribute to those killed and wounded that day and reflects on the intellectual freedom, human rights and violence in a time of war. It will be held in five New York City cultural venues from mid-June until late September 2013. Information about other exhibition sites can be found on the exhibition page.

Al-Mutanabbi Street is the centuries-old center of book selling in Baghdad, known for bookstores, cafes and outdoor book vendors. It was named after a 10th century classical Arab poet and has long been the historic heart of the Baghdad intellectual community.

The exhibition was created by Beau Beausoleil, the Founder of the Al-Mutanabbi Street Coalition, and Sara Bodman and features book arts created by international artists from 26 countries. It was organized in NYC by the Center for Book Arts. A complete set of all the books on display in NYC has recently been donated to the Iraq National Library in Baghdad.

The exhibit was facilitated by the Global Studies Division, The Center for Human Rights Documentation & Research and the Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Public Program: Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here – conversation with the artists. Opening remarks by Muhsin al-Musawi, Professor of Arabic Literature, Columbia University.
Sept. 17, 2013, 6-8 pm, Butler Library.
The event starts at 6:00 pm on the 3rd Floor of Butler Library and will be followed by reception and conversation with the artists: Holly Anderson, Oded Halahmy and Ellen Wallenstein in room 523 in Butler Library.