Danish-Egyptian Symposium / Design by Abeer Farid
The Danish Egyptian Dialogue Initiative (DEDI) invites young visual artists from Denmark and Egypt to participate in DEDI Symposium 2021/2022: The Tale of Two Cities: Aswan and Hanstholm – “After Confinement”.
Egypt is a country in the desert, yet water is present in each corner. There is the river Nile, crossing multiple cities, two seas (the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea), and many Lakes. Whereas the Nile in Cairo, the capital, is lost between buildings, luxury spots, and popular outings, it takes a different character in Aswan, the first Egyptian city to meet the streaming water of the river Nile. In Aswan, the river’s bed becomes wider and changes colors; from blue to green to yellow. The different layers come together in a harmonious way, contributing to the spirit of the place: the waterscape, the vernacular architecture, and the extreme hospitality of people. The behavior of water, the source of life, is reflected in the pace of life of each place.
Likewise Denmark is a country with a strong geographical and historical connection to water and the sea. Many will have heard of the vikings travelling around the world in huge ships in the medieval era. Even today Denmark is very much a seafaring nation. The country consists of many islands of different sizes connected by ferries and bridges. The small coast village Hanstholm is situated in the middle of the wild and beautiful nature of northern Denmark. The special light and view of the sea in Hanstholm is extraordinary. The main source of income in Hanstholm is the industrial fishing harbor which is the largest in Denmark.
The Danish Egyptian Dialogue Initiative (DEDI) invites young visual artists from Denmark and Egypt to participate in DEDI Symposium 2021-2022 under the theme of The Tale of Two Cities: Aswan and Hanstholm – “After Confinement”.
First part of the Symposium takes place in Cairo and Aswan November 5-19, 2021. It begins in Cairo with a two-day program of special guided visits to museums, art spaces and meeting artists, offering introductions to the contemporary art scenes. A nine-day workshop follows, taking place in the Nubian Cataract Hotel, which is nestled within the protection of a cliff located on the east bank of the river Nile, in a peaceful area away from the centre of Aswan, Upper Egypt. Back in Cairo after the workshop, the Danish participants will have another two days to explore the city on their own.
Second part of the Symposium takes place in Copenhagen and Hanstholm May 9-23, 2022. It begins in Copenhagen with a two-day program of special guided visits to museums, art spaces, and meeting artists, offering introductions to the contemporary art scenes. A nine-day workshop will follow, taking place in the North Atlantic Lighthouse in Hanstholm in the north-western seaside of Denmark, which dates back to 1843, and now is a center for experimental contemporary art. Back in Copenhagen after the workshop, the Egyptian participants will have another two days to explore the city on their own.
By bringing young Egyptian and Danish visual artists together, DEDI wishes to set dialogue about contemporary visual arts in motion. The theme of the Symposium, The Tale of Two Cities: Aswan and Hanstholm – “After Confinement”, has been chosen in order to encourage collective reflections on the perspectives arising anew after the COVID-19 pandemic.DEDI also wishes to offer a space where the creative process of the participants can be inspired and enriched by the exchanging of professional experiences, artistic visions and ideas as well as the place, local atmosphere and environment. The meetings in the two cities will incorporate brainstorming and discussion sessions. Participants will be expected to do visual research, and possibly use some time at the end of each meeting for the conceptualization of ideas.
The Symposium will be documented in a publication, presenting the projects of the participants and relaying their experience with a possibility of curating an exhibition in one of prestigious galleries in Egypt and/or Denmark.
The Symposium 2021-2022 will have eight participants, four from each country, selected by a curatorial team: Haytham Nawar, Egypt and Mette Bruun, Denmark.
Criteria of selection
- Below 35 years old.
- Excellent command of English.
- Documented professional career (exhibitions, recognition, prizes etc.) of minimum three years.
- The artistic project that you want to work with/on in Denmark and Egypt and that you will present at the Symposium.
- Motivation to participate and to share professional experience and contribute to mutual inspiration and dialogue.
- Special interest in the Egyptian/Danish contemporary art
Timeline:
July 15 – Deadline for applications
July 30 – Selected artists notified by email
November 5-19 – Symposium I in Egypt
May 9-23, 2022 – Symposium II in Denmark
Practicalities:
Air ticket, transportation, full accommodation and other expenses related to the program is paid by DEDI as well as production expenses up to 8000,00 DKK to the participants.
For questions, please contact project officer, Marwa Seoudi (ms@dedi.org.eg).
Places of interest in Cairo and Aswan:
Museum Of Modern Egyptian Art
Gezira Center for Modern Art
Darb 1718 Contemporary Art and Culture Centre
Access Art Gallery (formally Townhouse gallery)
Places of interest in Copenhagen:
