SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Not in the Age of the Pharaohs

Abstract:

‘Not in the Age of the Pharaohs’ takes four examples of artworks made in Egypt prior to the Arab Spring that are inscribed with messages of social and political discontent. Situating the arts as a counter force to the daily injustices faced by citizens in an overly-governed state, Professor Ferguson will talk about why ‘the arts are always the first item to disappear in a reduced budget and the first activity to be censored by insecure authorities’. Particularly poignant is the example of Ahmed Basiony, who was assassinated by police forces in Tahrir Square and who has subsequently become a symbol of the martyrdom of many other courageous and creative individuals.

Speaker Biography:

Bruce Ferguson is the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at AUC. A curator and art critic for more than thirty years, his recent writing includes an introductory essay for the forthcoming Thames and Hudson book on Cornelia Parker. Previously, he served as the Dean, School of Arts at Columbia University; President and Executive Director of the New York Academy of Art; and is the founding Director and first biennial curator of SITE Santa Fe, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has curated more than 35 exhibitions for institutions such as the Louisiana Museum in Copenhagen, the Barbican Art Gallery in London, the Winnipeg and Vancouver Art Galleries in Canada and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. He has also organized exhibitions within the international biennales of Sao Paulo, Sydney, Venice and Istanbul.