From progressive rock that seamlessly fuses Eastern and Western influences, to haunting video installations about democracy or nightmarish hospital stays, the Egyptian artists showcased at this year's biennale in Milan offer up innovative projects that are original and thought-provoking.
Held in Milan, Italy, from October 22nd to 26th, the prestigious Mediterranea 17 Young Artists Biennale, which promotes young talent from the region, includes 14 musicians, artists and poets from Egypt all under 35 years old.
Maquam, a progressive rock band from Alexandria, performs on the main stage their music inspired by genre legends like Dream Theater and Rush, mixed with oriental influences. The seven-member band launched in Alexandria in 2013.
Poets Mohamed Elmesalami and Nehal Ghanem will both read their work, inspired by themes like the soul of Tchaikovsky and seeing daily life without ignoring ugliness (Elmesalami,) or departure between couples or friends (Ghanem.)
Artists Israa Elnaggar and Ahmed Mohsen are showing their short video "Curfew," which includes footage of Alexandria traffic, dynamic movement and shots of film negatives.
Kamal Elfeki's installation "Dmocracy" is about people who could make a difference, but go off in different directions.
Amir Youssef's "Useless machine" is a kinetic sculpture made of a wooden box, engine and acrylic sheets.
Yasmine Elmeleegy's "Fever" is based on her stay at the Fever Hospital in Abbassia after she was infected by malaria during a trip to Ghana. "It was a horrifying experience, one could smell silence, fear and death in the old and decayed building and its dormitories," Elmeleegy writes.
Be Social
Comments
Leave a Comment