From rags to riches is a year-long project initiated by the Cairo-based foundation Baad el Bahr and curated by Mashrabia Gallery to produce a number of art installations and projects made from recycled materials for pubic spaces across the city. The first phase of the project was a four-day workshop in March, led by Dutch public space designer Marjet Wessels Boer and Italian material processing artist Eugenia Morpurgo. The workshop offered training for artists to increase their skills in the use of disposable materials for the creation of public space artworks. It will be followed by a public art competition with accepted applicants provided with financial and technical support to realize their projects.
Given the increasing restrictions on public space use in Egypt, From rags to riches organizers have been constantly developing and adapting the project to changing circumstances. In this video, the workshop organizers, facilitators and some of the participants explain their vision and approach to public art and how they have been working through various challenges to realize the project.
The interviews are in English and Arabic and include translation and subtitles.
[This video was produced by Medrar TV and is featured in partnership with Jadaliyya Culture]