Cultural revolution

Since Mubarak's ouster, I've been trying to follow some small portion of the many creative reactions to this time in Egypt's history. Many of the artists and writers I know personally were in Tahrir Square, and have since been struggling to make sense of their experience; to balance their work and their political commitments; and to take advantage of new opportunities for collective action, free speech, and making use of public space. 

A mural in Downtown Cairo (since painted over) created as part of an art awareness campaign

For the design magazine Print, I put together a selection of images that speak (or spoke, a few months back -- these things change quickly) to the visual legacy of the revolution.

And I just wrote a piece on "cultural revolution" for Foreign Policy looking at some of the many grassroots cultural initiatives taking place now; at artists' efforts to contribute creatively to the revolution (and their many acts of opposition, well before it, to the Mubarak regime); and at how the cultural landscape might be changing. There is also an accompanying slide show. 

Comments

[Warren Metzler]

This comment is not about this piece, but a general comment as to how much my heart is warmed reading the various Arabist posts, and listening to the pod casts. You are all highly competent journalists, telling us about real life in Egypt. Far more sophisticated and subtle reporting than available in most western media, even independent media (which is often quite ideologically driven).

So I congratulate you, and wish each of you great success professionally and many quality sensations (moments of pleasure) personally.

Thanks again for repeatedly informing me in a pleasurable manner.

[ursula]

Thank you for your kind comment. It's a pleasure to have such enthusiastic and interested readers. Best,Ursula