The Post-Mubarrak Cairo Street Art Points to an Underground Subculture
Omar Yusuf — August 26, 2011 — Pop Culture
References: trendpool
Until recently, politically vocal graffiti was a rare sight in Egypt's streets and alleyways, which adds an exponent of intrigue to the Cairo street art that's emerged in the post-Mubarrak period. Take a look at the attached photos.
Tahir Square, the epicenter of the historic Arab Spring, has been transformed from a picturesque plaza into a gargantuan graffiti mural. Vandalism is almost necessary part of self-expression in drab, monotonous urban landscapes. But until recently, graffiti in Egypt was not only rare, but completely apolitical. From snarky protest slogans to portraits of the revolution's most important figures, the Cairo street art comes in varying shapes, but has captured the attention of graphic artists around the world regardless.
Considering recent talks among art businesspeople about exhibiting these works in foreign galleries, it's clear that the work produced by the January 25th revolutionaries won't soon be forgotten.
Tahir Square, the epicenter of the historic Arab Spring, has been transformed from a picturesque plaza into a gargantuan graffiti mural. Vandalism is almost necessary part of self-expression in drab, monotonous urban landscapes. But until recently, graffiti in Egypt was not only rare, but completely apolitical. From snarky protest slogans to portraits of the revolution's most important figures, the Cairo street art comes in varying shapes, but has captured the attention of graphic artists around the world regardless.
Considering recent talks among art businesspeople about exhibiting these works in foreign galleries, it's clear that the work produced by the January 25th revolutionaries won't soon be forgotten.
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