ARTAFRICAFEATURE / ‘SOMETHING ELSE:’ OFF BIENNALE CAIRO AND AtWork WORKSHOPAN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO LOOK AT ART AND EDUCATION / ELENA KORZHENEVICH
In November 2015 in Cairo, Egypt, something else happened. Something that provided
an alternative to the way contemporary art is practiced, curated and perceived in this
part of the world. Something that favoured connections between different artistic and
cultural communities and promoted innovation and social change through culture. With
these aims in mind, the prominent Egyptian artist Moataz Nasr and the internationally
acclaimed curator Simon Njami were prompted to create and bring into existence the
first edition of the Off Biennale Cairo, entitled ‘Something Else.’ Simon Njami invited
eight international curators to select local and international artists for the Off Biennale.
With the addition of his own choices the selection arrived at the final number of one
hundred and one artists who would participate in a month-long event, which took over
the city with exhibitions, performances, workshops, film screenings, talks and panels.
The artists and audiences had a chance to establish a conversation on contemporary art
production in Egypt and Northern Africa, to confront the artistic practices of Egyptian
artists and to reflect on what it means to be a contemporary artist today in Egypt
and beyond.1/7 ARTAFRICASOMETHING ELSE
Off Biennale Cairo and AtWork workshop:
An alternative way to look at art and educationby Elena Korzhenevich
Darb 1718 artistic center in Cairo.