Darb 1718 ( ar, درب ١٧١٨) is an Egyptian
contemporary art
Contemporary art is the art of today, produced in the second half of the 20th century or in the 21st century. Contemporary artists work in a globally influenced, culturally diverse, and technologically advancing world. Their art is a dynamic com ...
and
culture center located in the
Fustat area of
Old Cairo
Old Cairo (Arabic: مصر القديمة , Miṣr al-Qadīma, Egyptian pronunciation: Maṣr El-ʾAdīma) is a historic area in Cairo, Egypt, which includes the site of a Roman-era fortress and of Islamic-era settlements pre-dating the founding of ...
. As a registered non-profit, charity organization Darb 1718 seeks to encourage experimentation by supporting new works by emerging artists with particular attention to artistic merit, diversity of media and aesthetic traditions, along with originality of cultural influences. It thereby acts as “a trampoline to advance the burgeoning contemporary art movement in Egypt.” It also aims at presenting local and international contemporary art, archiving artwork and maintaining a comprehensive database of art in Egypt, as well as acting as an educational front through providing workshops, projects and film screenings. The center also aims to engage the local Fustat community through community service and outreach programs.
History
Since 2008 Darb 1718 is the brainchild of Egyptian visual artist and cultural activist
Moataz Nasr.
Location and Venues
Located in the Fustat area of Old Cairo, Darb 1718 is surrounded by omnipresent archaeological treasures. The millennium-old
Mosque of Amr Ibn el ‘Aas (built in 642 AD and known to be the first mosque built on the African continent), the
Babylon Fortress (1st Century AD), the
Hanging Church (690-692 AD), the
Greek Church of St. George (10th century) and the
Coptic Museum
The Coptic Museum is a museum in Coptic Cairo, Egypt with the largest collection of Coptic Christian artifacts in the world. It was founded by Marcus Simaika in 1908 to house Coptic antiquities. The museum traces the history of Egypt from its be ...
(1910) are all walking distance from Darb 1718. These historic sites create a striking canvas for Darb 1718’s mandate.
To find a map about Darb 1718's surroundings and how to get there se
Nestled behind the old city of
Fustat, the ancient ruins of Roman, Islamic, and Coptic civilizations, Darb 1718 is an alive and modern contemporary art space complete with two contemporary art galleries, two live performance stages, a large outdoor cinema, workshop areas, roof lounges, and artist-in-residence studio and living space.
References
{{Reflist
External links
Darb 1718 Website
Art museums and galleries in Egypt
Buildings and structures in Cairo
Art galleries established in 2008
2008 establishments in Egypt
Arab art scene