Tips from the culture desk: Young artists and constructed futures

In the last week before Ramadan, a number of art institutions are giving space to young artists and students to showcase their work. Two music events, as well as two talks by German artist Sandra Schafer are also set to take place in Cairo and Alexandria.

Please do it again: AUC student exhibition — Saturday to Thursday

AUC senior art students will present their projects, as part of graduate exhibition Please Do It Again.

May 25, Sharjah Art Gallery, AUC New Campus. More information here.

Constructed Futures: Haret Hreik video installation and artist talk by Sandra Schafer — Saturday

German artist Sandra Schafer presents a 4-channel video installation that examines the rebuilding project of Haret Hreik in Beirut, and explores the role of architecture and rebuilding in reconstructing memory and narrative. The installation and talk are part of CIC’s parallel programme Imagined Life In a Museum Vitrine, the fourth and final chapter of longer-term project If Not For That Wall.

May 20, 12-9 pm, discussion starts at 7 pm, Contemporary Image Collective — 22 Abdel Khalek Tharwat St, downtown Cairo. Free. More information here.

Omar Amiralay students’ shorts screening — Saturday

Students of the late Syrian documentary filmmaker Omar Amiralay are set to screen their short graduation projects from the Arab Film Institute in Amman. If Amiralay's own work is any indication, we expect these films to provide probing social and political commentary, but also incorporate humor and innovative filmmaking techniques.

May 20, 7 pm, Cimatheque — 19a Adly St, downtown Cairo. Screening is free, but Cimatheque requires a daily membership fee of LE15. More information here.

Paper Trail exhibition opening — Monday

Gypsum Gallery will showcase over 150 drawings and monoprints by 12 young artists living and working in Cairo, and we're excited to see what they have produced.

May 22, 7 pm, Gypsum Gallery — 5 Ibrahim Naguib St, Garden City, Cairo. Free. More information here.

On the set of 1978ff: Video installation and artist talk by Sandra Schafer — Monday

Artist Sandra Schafer is having a productive week. After her talk at Cairo’s CIC, she heads to Alexandria to present this two-channel video installation, using archival video and photographs to reconstruct the 1978-79 Iranian Revolution, followed by a talk, as part of alternative art school MASS Alexandria's new program exploring the legacy of German artist and filmmaker Harun Farocki.

22 May, Goethe Institut Alexandria, 10 El-Batalsa st, Azarita, Alexandria. Free. More information here.

Living too Late and Binti performances — Tuesday

Following a performance at ZigZag last week, lo-fi indie rock band Living Too Late present their collaboration with journalist and occasional musician Elle Kurancid at CJC, followed by Belgian/Egyptian folk ensemble Binti, which is comprised of six (yes, SIX!) musically passionate sisters.

May 23, 10.30, Cairo Jazz Club, 197 26th July st, Agouza. Free entry but reservations necessary by calling: +2 010 6880 4764 (3-9 pm daily). More information here.

Artist talk by Adel El Siwi — Wednesday

Veteran painter Adel El Siwi will give a talk moderated by filmmaker Yousry Nasrallah and journalist Wael Abdelfattah about his exhibition of paintings, In the Presence of the Animal, currently on display at Mashrabia gallery.

May 24, Mashrabia gallery annex, 15 Mahmoud Bassiouny Street, beside Le Grillon passage. Exhibition ongoing till May 31. More information here.

Arab Rock Fest Vol II — Friday

If you're in the mood to kick off Ramadan with more than just konafa, head to Darb 1718 after sundown and check out performances by six Arab rock bands. Look out for Telepoetic and Khayal in particular.

26 May, Darb 1718, Kasr El Shamaa st, Misr El Kadeema. LE75 More information here.