Al-Sisi reviews Egypt's food security, strategic commodity reserves    Egypt signs strategic agreements to attract global investment in gold, mineral exploration    Syria says it will defend its territory after Israeli strikes in Suwayda    Egyptian Exchange ends mixed on July 15    Suez Canal vehicle carrier traffic set to rebound by 20% in H2: SCA chief    Tut Group launches its operations in Egyptian market for exporting Egyptian products    China's urban jobless rate eases in June '25    Egypt's Health Minister reviews drug authority cooperation with WHO    Egypt urges EU support for Gaza ceasefire, reconstruction at Brussels talks    Pakistan names Qatari royal as brand ambassador after 'Killer Mountain' climb    Health Ministry denies claims of meningitis-related deaths among siblings    Egypt, Mexico explore joint action on environment, sustainability    Egypt, Mexico discuss environmental cooperation, combating desertification    Needle-spiking attacks in France prompt government warning, public fear    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, France FMs review Gaza ceasefire efforts, reconstruction    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Egypt condemns deadly terrorist attack in Niger        Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt's GAH, Spain's Konecta discuss digital health partnership    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Capturing Ramadan on canvas
Published in Daily News Egypt on 21 - 09 - 2007

Unearthing a singular identity from the heaps of Arab, African, Western and Ancient influences that pervade Egyptian culture is no simple task. Yet it's one to which Egyptian artists have dedicated themselves in droves.
So perhaps it's not surprising the Gauguin Gallery has devoted its most recent exhibit to a theme undeniably central to Egyptian life: Ramadan. The two-room show entitled "Ramadaniyat, which opened last Wednesday night, showcases a wide range of interpretations of the holy month, both literal and abstract.
Seated in a room strewn with brushes and canvases, Gauguin's owner, Mona Hassan, explained the exhibit's theme. Typically, galleries like Gauguin use themes based on seasons, she said; for instance, a spring show may have a floral theme.
"It's by coincidence we're starting our season with it, she said of this year's overlap with Ramadan, which began one week before the opening.
While Ramadan is a Muslim holiday, Hassan stressed that Ramadaniyat is not necessarily religious. The term refers to the atmosphere and spirit of the month, which affects all Egyptians, Muslim or not.
"It's not a religious thing. It's the atmosphere of the whole [period], she said, explaining some of the more festive scenes, which include large dinners and people smoking shisha.
Ramadaniyat encompasses a wide school of art, she said. While most exhibits at Gauguin and similar galleries will focus on one or two mediums, Ramadaniyat includes a wide array of visual mediums: Sculpture, glasswork, watercolor, acrylic, digital art and ink etchings all mingle along the gallery's walls.
For most of the evening, Horriya Mostafa, a Cairene sculptor whose background includes a PhD in Philosophy, lingered near her display - a trio of glass-blown figures - and chatted with visitors.
"A lot of people want to talk about why it's transparent, why it's made of glass, she said. "It's because our spirit is transparent.
The themes of her sculptures are rooted in Ancient Egyptian philosophy and art, she said. Many are tall and thin, a visual interpretation of the human struggle to transcend purely physical existence.
An upcoming exhibition of her work will be shown in Japan, France and Denmark, among other countries.
Hassan, herself a painter, writer and jewelry-maker, said she gained a deeper appreciation for art while traveling abroad. "Art is very poor over here, she said. "It's not everywhere like in Europe.
She said popular understanding of contemporary Egyptian art and its nuances - such as its roots in Italian and French practices - is growing in this country and abroad, but slowly.
"It's a short tradition, but one people should know, she said. "People have to realize there is art here as well.
In its mission to improve Egyptian arts, the Gauguin Gallery houses a small school and publishes a magazine. The goal is ambitious, but one Hassan believes is worth chasing.
"I can't control the whole world, she said, laughing. "But so far I am succeeding.
RamadaniyatGaugin Gallery37 Mohamed Mazhar St, Zamalek, CairoTel: (010) 816 2949Daily 11 am-2 pm & 8:30-10:30 pmExhibition runs until Oct. 11


Clic here to read the story from its source.