In 2016, images of a stunning piece of street
art—spread across nearly 50 buildings in Cairo—began circulating online.
Individually, each building was a colorful, abstract masterpiece. Together,
they formed the stunning Arabic calligraphy that Tunisian-French artist eL Seed is known for. Painted in
the Manshiyat Naser area of Cairo, a forgotten corner of the city where
garbage collectors live, the world marveled at how this incredible artistic
statement was achieved. Now, eL Seed is telling the story in his own words.
Perception is
the artist’s first-hand account of how he managed to organize the self-funded
project, gain the trust of the community, and execute a complex artwork all
while undergoing an emotional transformation. The anamorphic mural, also
titled Perception, is only visible in its totality
from Moqattam Mountain and shines a light on a community that is so often
ignored. Through his work, eL Seed reinforces how street art is much more than
the finished artwork itself. It’s also a means to engage with a community and
build bridges.
“What intrigued me about Perception was
less the end result of the painting—although it is very impressive—but the way
in which eL Seed immersed himself in the community of Manshiyat Naser, and
worked to unpack the assumptions and prejudices he—and we—have of the ‘garbage
collectors’ of Cairo,” writes Glenn D. Lowry, director of MoMA, in the book’s
foreword. “As he worked with local leaders, met the inhabitants of the
buildings he painted, and played with the children of the neighborhood, the
project evolved from being a literal act of ‘perception’ seeing the anamorphic
painting spread across an array of buildings, to a metaphor for seeing what had
been previously invisible; the dignity and richness of the lives of the Coptic
community of Zaraeeb.”
In an era when street art is mainly appreciated by
visuals seen on Instagram, eL Seed’s Perception is an
incredible opportunity to learn about the backstage planning that goes
into executing such a large project. Over the course of 304 pages, we learn
how Perception moved from a technical and artistic challenge
to something much greater. It’s the story of a successful artist wishing to
stay true to his personal ethos, while looking to grow. “I had reached a point
where I felt I wasn’t progressing. I wasn’t pushing the boundaries of my
creative expression or doing anything different,” the artist writes. “The ease
of making murals clashed with a growing unease, a desire to surpass myself and
achieve something new.”
This desire to achieve something great artistically
shifts, as eL Seed begins spending time in Manshiyat Naser. It’s an area
inhabited by more than 70,000 people but looked down upon as an impoverished
neighborhood of trash collectors. Through words and pictures, we follow eL Seed
during his first steps to integrate himself into the community and sell them on
his idea. And we are with him as he makes connections and friendships that last
well beyond the completion of the artwork.
Perception is
a celebration of Manshiyat Naser. The limited edition publication includes
transcriptions of conversations with members of the community and is printed on
hand-made recycled paper produced by local craftsmen. All 500 copies of the
book have a book case painted by eL Seed, transforming it into a unique piece
of art itself.
Perception will
be released on October 4, 2018 at MoMA in New York. An intimate
conversation with the artist, led by Lowry will take place that day from 5 pm
to 6 pm in the Founders Room, 6th Floor, 11 West 53rd Street, MoMa, followed by
a reception and book signing from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the MoMa Bookstore.
In 2016, eL Seed painted an incredible anamorphic
mural across 50 buildings in the impoverished Manshiyat Naser area of
Cairo.
His new book Perception gives his
first-hand account of how an art project became a journey of discovery for the
artist and community.
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