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ro Binnale 13th 2019 Metamorphosis and the New Shifting Times
The Cairo Biennale returns after an effervescent period of time –full blown eight years-- that
engulfed Egypt and its direct satellite regions: Africa, Middle East, Mediterranean. Eight long
years through which new rules are set, new values are explored and more challenges faced,
some overcome and others the entire world have to face. Eight years are equal to four frozen
unfulfilled episodes, and around four hundred artist who could have come and exhibited to
the Egyptian public; but better late and stronger than never.
The new times are difficult for everyone all over the globe: the world is faced with migrant
crises, economic burdens, and new superpowers attempting to emerge, and other old ones
attempt strong come back. All over the world we are faced by identity, gender, migration,
poverty, struggle between wealth and power, economic warfare, and a trillion other daily
problems that everyone has to take responsibility in confronting. It is not anymore a question
of the Orient versus the Occident: everyone is responsible, and everyone has to pay their
share of sharing, giving and saving our planet. For our 13th edition of the Cairo Biennale,
Eyes East Bound, 80 artists are invited to explore the challenges the world face today; the
choice of Cairo as an indispensable center of the ancient Orient drove us to invite the artists
to question: is there a difference between East or West today? Is anyone safe and immune to
the challenges of our new times in a globalized world?
The answers are open, and questions are infinite.
Ms. Dahlia Moustapha
Head of Central Administration for Centers of Arts
7
The Cairo Biennale returns after an effervescent period of time –full blown eight years-- that
engulfed Egypt and its direct satellite regions: Africa, Middle East, Mediterranean. Eight long
years through which new rules are set, new values are explored and more challenges faced,
some overcome and others the entire world have to face. Eight years are equal to four frozen
unfulfilled episodes, and around four hundred artist who could have come and exhibited to
the Egyptian public; but better late and stronger than never.
The new times are difficult for everyone all over the globe: the world is faced with migrant
crises, economic burdens, and new superpowers attempting to emerge, and other old ones
attempt strong come back. All over the world we are faced by identity, gender, migration,
poverty, struggle between wealth and power, economic warfare, and a trillion other daily
problems that everyone has to take responsibility in confronting. It is not anymore a question
of the Orient versus the Occident: everyone is responsible, and everyone has to pay their
share of sharing, giving and saving our planet. For our 13th edition of the Cairo Biennale,
Eyes East Bound, 80 artists are invited to explore the challenges the world face today; the
choice of Cairo as an indispensable center of the ancient Orient drove us to invite the artists
to question: is there a difference between East or West today? Is anyone safe and immune to
the challenges of our new times in a globalized world?
The answers are open, and questions are infinite.
Ms. Dahlia Moustapha
Head of Central Administration for Centers of Arts
7
