In the spirit of Ramadan, Arthropologie brings people together over mint tea and urges them to release their artistic imagination in a cosy and creative setting. The Zamalek's gallery's Ramadan event "Wekala" is back for a second year, and itis divided into two intertwined functions: an art café open to the public, who are invited to create original artworks using modest, recycled materials such as plastic bottles and wires, and an exhibition of local products including jewellery, bags, clothes and more. Their art café, dubbed Shay Bel Naanaa or Mint Tea, is a platform for people to “express themselves by creating unique art,” according to the gallery's Facebook announcement. “The purpose of the art café is to raise environmental awareness and the reuse of materials in Egypt. In the Art Café people are given the chance to meet and socialize with people that have similar interests.” At the art café, Arthropologie provides the art materials, and the tea, but participants are expected to bring their enthusiasm and creative ideas to the art space. Run by a group of young artists and architects, Arthropologie is not your typical art gallery. The showroom does not host static exhibitions, but rather operates a series of projects that aim to engage art enthusiasts. The gallery hosts photography and collage workshops, puts on the occasional film screening, and even attempted a fashion design course last March. Open on two days only, Sunday, 5 August and Monday, 6 August, Wekala brings locally produced art crafts and jewellery to the gallery, as a backdrop for a free art space for amateurs to unleash their creative energies using the materials laid out by Arthropologie. For more information visit:https://www.facebook.com/arthropologie Programme: Sunday 4 August and Monday 5 August Ramadan opening hours: 1-5pm and 8:30pm-12am 13A Maraashly st., Zamalek, Cairo http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/49604.aspx
