past delocalization in Africa from 28 August till 05 December 2005




While the complex yet intriguing concept behind the project may not be very shared by everyone walking along the Alexandrian cornisch, the projection nevertheless influences them all. Besides it's visual appeal, it creates synergy between digital modernity and a constatnt interest in their city. Lina Atilah, Daily Star

مكتبة الإسكندرية
↓Click on the image to see more pictures... !↓

31° 20' N, 29° 90' E
Projection with 8 metres diametre at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina on the neighbouring conference center. Impressions of the installation and the opening with Prof. Razzazz (photos by Mohamed Nafea).

١٠٠يومـ١٠٠إيماشينيشنز
Following the steps of its ancient namesake, the new library of Alexandria seeks to become Egypt's window to the world and the world's window to Egypt. The 100 Days - 100 Imachinations is an art project within the scope of the Library's aim to catch up with the digital age and created in Autumn 2005 temporarily for 100 days a vast lucid landmark in the townscape of Alexandria. maktaba

Read more about the concept, watch further pictures or a short movie with impressions, QT, 1:15 min. 2,6 Mb)

 تعد مكتبة الإسكندرية الجديدة نافذة مصر على العالم ونافذة العالم على مصر، ولذلك فإن تاريخ المكتبة القديمة، والذي يؤكد سعيها للتبادل الثقافي، بالإضافة إلى التحدي الرقمي الذي يتمثل في المشروع الفني:
١٠٠ يوم ـ ١٠٠ إيماشينيشنز ـ حيث يخلقان مَعلَما ضخما وجليّا في مدينة الإسكندرية.


العربية: ٠٠ يوم ـ ١٠٠إيماشينيشنز

These visualizations recall color field painting and the minimal light-based works of Dan Flavin. [...] What looks like an abstract pattern is an index of an unending process of mathematical calculation. Laura Marks (Enfoldment and Infinity: An Islamic Genealogy of New Media Art)

Feedback

Listen to some extracts of an interview with Laila Abdel Hady about:

How the idea of the BA evolved in 1972 - the beginning with Mustafa Abbadi (qt, 672 kb, 1:42 min)

There are good architects - the vision of the BA director Seragaldin (qt, 376 kb, 0:57 min)

The different situation of the Library in Alexandria (qt, 716 kb, 1:46 min)

Laila Abdel Hady was involved since 1993 in the early phase of the institutional concretion of the Library of Alexandria.
Prof. Mustafa al Abbadi is the grand seigneur of the Library. In 1972 he had the idea of reviving the old libary of Alexandria. Then he functioned as the crucial promoter.

Watch some extracts from the interview with Mustafa El-Abbadi as video clips about:

Alexander and his globalization campaign in the Antique (qt, 5602 kb, 6:25 min)

The Alexandria Project (qt, 2172 kb, 2:29 min)

The BA as cultural center (qt, 463 kb, 0:28 min)

Special thanks to Fahima Nokraschi from the Egyptian-German Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Her cordial invitation and hospitality allowed me to come severeal times to Alexandria and to prepare the project.

Imachination Partners


Further links

ACAFACAF - the ALEXANDRIA CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORUM - is a unique space for contemporary art and international cultural dialogue. It was initiated in December 2005 by artist Mona Marzouk and writer and curator Bassam El-Baroni.

Art portal with specific information about the visual arts of Africa, Asia, Latin America within the context of international art processes.