14.05, 15.05
Using mesmerising videos, sculptures and complex historical reconstructions, Wael Shawky raises questions about the ambiguities of documentary records, and the authority of written history. His latest work, Drama 1882, was a highlight of last year’s Venice Biennale.
The eight-part operatic film reconstructs the moment of Egypt’s nationalist Urabi revolt against colonial rule (1879-1882). Colonel Ahmed Urabi, who rose through the ranks from his peasant origins to found the Egyptian Nationalist Party, led the uprising and campaigned to secure Egypt for the Egyptians. But what exactly happened in 1882 to implode his popular movement, precipitate a full-scale bombardment of Alexandria by British forces, and his subsequent exile?
Filmed in a historic theatre in Alexandria, and set against a backdrop of striking, painterly sets, Shawky directs his cast with precision in a magical, theatrical musical. The characters move in a slow, hypnotic choreography, they sway like plants immersed in the current of a river. The word ‘drama’ has many implications: it conjures a sense of entertainment, the sense of catastrophe and our inherent doubt in history. A timely and critical conversation about the necessity of revisiting history and the futility of war.
"The Egyptian artist once again revisits history in his own epic, serious and whimsical way." - Emmanuelle Jardonnet, 2024, Le Monde
"Egyptian artist Wael Shawky creates a scientific body of work that examines collective mythologies." - Colin Lemoine, 2024, Connaissance des Arts
14.05
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15.05
- 20:30
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Presentation: Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Albert Hall Brussels
Director, production designer, costume designer, original score: Wael Shawky | Screenplay: Wael Shawky, Islam Salama | Director of photography: Mina Nabil | Editor: Mark Lotfy | Sound: Michael Fawzy | Sculptural team: Kain Walgrave, Giorgio Benotto | Installation team: Ibrahim Salama, Daniele Rancilio, Federico Elia, John Mirabel, Ikra Costruzioni | Audio-visual and light installation: Eidotech | Choreographer: Mirette Mechail | Theatre executive director: Ahmed Shawky | Film executive director: Abanoub Nabil | Theatre assistant director: Mohamed Farouq Rocky | Musical arrangement: Mohammed Hosny | Vocal supervisor: Mohammed Khaled | Recordings songs, mixing and sound design: Michael Fawzy | Costumes supervisor: Nahla Morsy | Scenography supervisor: Osama Gaber | Historical writing and proofreading: Islam Salama | Project manager: Giorgia Rea | Executive manager: Antonio Zanon | Press office: Evergreen Arts | Graphic designer: Mona Zanana | Production implementation: Ahmed Sayed | Fundraising: Mai Eldib
Production: Mass Alexandria | Theatre executive producer: Osama Al-Hawary | Film and theatre producer: Mark Lotfy | Production companies: Wael Shawky, Mass Alexandria, Sfeir-Semler Gallery, Lisson Gallery, Lia Rumma Gallery, Barakat Contemporary
The glass work would not have been possible without the help of Adriano Berengo, Berengo Studio | Thank you to the gallery teams: Ana Siler, Lina Kiryakos (Sfeir-Semler Gallery), Giulia Tassinari, Maud Greppi (Lia Rumma Gallery), Claus Robenhagen, Victoria Mitchell (Lisson Gallery), Yunu Lee (Barakat Gallery) | Additional thanks to: Annamaria Alois, San Leucio (Velvet Fabrics), Fonderia Nolana (copper plate), Ambassador of Italy to Egypt Michele Quaroni and his wife Veronika, Marwan Elshazly and Panmarine Logistics, Dr. Waleed Kanoush (Head of the Fine Arts Sector, Ministry of Culture, Egypt), Ahmed Kamal Eldin (Director-General of National and International Exhibitions, Ministry of Culture, Egypt)
