Twenty local artists representing the Egyptian contemporary art scene have been selected and commissioned to create works of art surrounding the present-day theme of occidentalism in Cairo, or how they see the West with their Egyptian Eyes. The Prince Claus Fund supported this activity.
The proposed activity is to collect twenty free expressions, commissioned by Van Gogh L'Elfenoun art association, that will transmit and communicate current Egyptian visions on the theme, raise questions regarding ambiguous complexities in the socio-cultural rapport between East and West, by exploring their meanings to the artists in the capital city, followed by a traveling tour of Western museums. Various media formats are employed, occupying bi-dimensional works such as painting and photography, and for three-dimensional works including sound, video and sculpture installations. Fourteen weekly meetings amongst the artists and organizers took place, the majority of which at the artists' ateliers. This was in order to create and guarantee the unity and quality of the show, as well as consolidate the Egyptian art scene.
The opening ceremony was held May 13, 2007 in Cairo, and the artworks were exhibited during a period of eleven days. A set of six seminars was held in which numerous themes surrounding the issue of occidentalism were discussed, these include the domains of gender, urbanization, identity and perceptions of the 'other.' The seminars included the participation of resource persons, academics, artists and the interested public. Opens forums and evenings with music were organised.
As of 2008 the Exhibition will travel to various museums of international cities.
The event was accompanied by a catalogue and website that profile participating artwork, participants' biographies and other relevant material on the topic.
Art work by Amal Kenawy for the exhibition Occidentalism
Art work by Hany Rashed for the exhibition Occidentalism
Art work by Hazem Taha Hussein for the exhibition Occidentalism
