RGB

RGB Project is an exhibit at the Townhouse Gallery.

The exhibit consists of a live-stream video projection of an artist at work.

Above is a still of the live-stream video feed in which an artist is busy at work. I could both see & hear the artist, but it was unclear if she could see & hear me. I don't think she could see me, however, because she didn't seem more distracted after I walked into the room. She continued to work and then took a break for a cigarette.

I viewed the exhibit at 9pm. In Cairo it is dark outside at 9pm and as her windows show, it is dark wherever she is as well.

While I have by-chance seen street art in-process, it is not common (except for during large demonstrations). Street artists work quickly and quietly. They often use stencils, their work taking on a uniform process. If, as the Project's description states, "RGB is concerned with performance and self-consciousness" surronding "authenticity," is it necessary to witness artwork being created in order for it to be deemed authentic?

Street artists don't need a live-stream video feed, there is always the chance of an unsuspecting witness turning the corner. The authenticity of street art is not how it was done, but whether it is there or not-- whether the artists braved the threat of that unsuspecting witness being the police.

As a friend & I were discussing the exhibit, a security guard came in and politely asked us to leave. The Gallery, he said, was closing.

As I walked into the warm October night, I was greeted with street art at each corner I turned. The streets of Cairo never close and I am a witness to that.

A Spaniard in Cairo

Translation: "We have dreams"

As I was looking for the RGB exhibit at the Townhouse Gallery last Sunday night, I entered the wrong gallery and came across this mural. The people pictured are not creating the mural, but in the process of preparing for the next night's fashion show featuring made-in Egypt clothing.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/7/47/25495/Life--Style/Fashion/Twenty-designers-celebrate-what-being-a-modern-Egy.aspx

The Spanish artist Eva Mena, who is known by the name Den, painted the mural. She is in Cairo to participate in the Fourth Mediterranean Hip Hop Festival. She was suppose to collaborate with the Alexandrian graffiti artist Aya Tarek, but he had to cancel due to a scheduling conflict.

While this mural was painted inside the Townhouse gallery, the artist is nevertheless foreign. In the post-Revolution artistic spring, should the streets of Egypt be reserved for Egyptians?

this is not graffiti

The name of this blog comes from an exhibition by the same name at the Townhouse Gallery. Located in downtown Cairo, the Townhouse Gallery is comprised of a library (with art books in several languages), several exhibition space and a theatre. The Gallery hosts artists in residence and has many programs for under-priviledged youth and refugees.

Here a great video about the Gallery: http://vimeo.com/21584869
As the video explains, the Gallery fosters discussion on political and social issues.

I saw the play Lessons in Revolting at the Gallery in August.
http://lessonsinrevolting.com/dates-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%aa%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b1%d9%8a%d8%ae-2/-- they're currently touring in Europe, check it out!

The play was produced by Egyptian actor-activists whose "purpose is not to document or reminisce, but to reflect [about the January 25 revolution] with an audience."


The exhibition "This is not graffiti" features nine artists who each graffiti-ed a wall of the Townhouse Gallery. Given the exhibition's title, should I be using the "graffiti-ed"? Many of the artwork on the street is actually painted and not spray-painted which is medium that I most associate with graffiti. Additionally I have always considered graffiti an inherently subversive (i.e. illegal) act.

Perhaps the title then is in reference to the fact that the artwork in the exhibition is not illegal and will not be crossed out or painted over because it is under the auspieces of the exhibition. In contrast, the artwork on the street is not part of an exhibition and as a result has no protection. While the artwork on the street will no doubt remain subversive, I can only hope that this blog will offer it some degree of protection. So is it graffiti? That's for you to decide.


Here pictures (taken on my iphone) from the exhibition.
The panda is ubiquitous is Cairo. Apparently before the January 25 revolution there was a TV commercial involving an angry panda(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4277ZqJEd7Q&feature=related). The subtitles are hard to see, but I think you'll be able to make the connection.

Any yes, there is a picture of a white wall.