Second movement: Birds watching
Video
5:26 mins
HD
2020
Commissioned by BOZAR - Center of Fine Arts in Brussels
“Second movement: Birds watching” a video that
takes the decision to ban “Mahraganat” music- a type of singing and music that mixes techno and folk music that appeared recently in Egypt - under the accusation of "spoiling the public taste” as a point of departure that reflects the relation of power and authority with art. The video tries to engage western classical music in conversation with the music and lyrics of Mahragant music. Attempting to break boundaries and rules being put on recent contemporary metamorphosis while introducing a state of reconciliation and homogenization.
The work questions the role of entities such as syndicates and media channels in the dispute to extend influence and impose control. Music emerging from marginalized and poor social classes -vernacular and deeply rooted from its context- that own its special performative dancing was able to go beyond and find their audience outside the censorship established by those parties.
The video includes found footage that presents two narratives; one represents the state of merging between Beethoven and Mahraganat and the other is the narrative of official authorities.
The work questions the role of entities such as syndicates and media channels in the dispute to extend influence and impose control. Music emerging from marginalized and poor social classes -vernacular and deeply rooted from its context- that own its special performative dancing was able to go beyond and find their audience outside the censorship established by those parties.
The video includes found footage that presents two narratives; one represents the state of merging between Beethoven and Mahraganat and the other is the narrative of official authorities.