Gatekeepers
Cairo 2006-2009

research project
Pro Helvetia Cairo Studio Residency 2006 and Research Residency 2009



Huda Lutfi, artist and cultural historian, Cairo:

...Wälchli and Reichlin engage in a dynamic collaborative process in which the aesthetics of Cairo's urban spaces seem to merge with their own. As an artist living in Cairo, however, Wälchli's and Reichlin's stance on the aesthetics of Cairo's public ornaments surprised me, particularly when it comes to the 'gatekeepers,' for I have always found these ornamental structures hanging on top of the shops' facades to be rather ugly and devoid of any aesthetic value. During my conversation with the artists I explained how these ornamental structures were not only unattractive, but they also seemed to disturb the architectural integrity of the city's old buildings. Based on their research on Islamic art and architecture, the artists explained to me how they see a close association between these ornaments and the muqarnas structures commonly used in old mosques and schools built during the Mamluk period in Egypt. They also showed me how these structures could be viewed as 'gatekeepers,' iconic structures that were commonly used as safeguards to the entrance of old European buildings. Gatekeepers, they explained, protect and attract at the same time. Wälchli's and Reichlin's incisive perceptions were eye openers to me, and I was willing to look at these ornaments in a new light.
Shortly after, as I was doing my regular rounds in the city, I took notice of the ornamental façade of a juice shop, and immediately made the association between this ornamental façade and the old muqarnas style. However, instead of stone and granite, it was constructed of modern colourful tiles, so popular in decorating the facades of many Cairene shops today. For the first time I began to see how these shop facades around the city seemed to imitate and popularize an ornamental style that has been formerly restricted to religious buildings only.
I decided to go back and look more closely at the three works that the two artists produced for the Where are you? Exhibition at the Townhouse, comparing these to the photographs the two artists took of the original 'gatekeepers' hanging on top of the shops of Cairo. I recognized at once how much energy and time they put in order to replicate the original structures. In order to find the materials necessary to construct their works, Wälchli and Reichlin roamed the markets of
Cairo searching for inexpensive materials, such as wood, cardboard, steel, stickers of different colours and patterns.
To produce some of these works for the exhibition in Cairo, the artists worked closely with the city's craftsmen who were familiar with the local style of ornament. And while the artists' works may appear as faithful replicas of the originals, these were ultimately transformed into impressive and jewel like sculptures.
As Reichlin and Wälchli explained to me, "The process of rebuilding Cairo's gatekeepers is not a simple act of copying and pasting, we view this as an act of enhancement. Our most recent works and projects represent the power and the spirit of abstraction and ornament in the public spaces of Cairo. During our daily walks through the urban landscapes of Cairo we focused on that which was barely noticed, that which was easily forgotten." The sculptural works not only repositioned these ornamental structures in new spaces and venues in the city, but gave them a new life, as well as a radiant presence and energy.
...

extract from the article "Taking a Stand", first published in "Years of Residency", a publication of Pro Helvetia Cairo Liaison Office, 2010
and later on in "Ornamental Angefressen", 2010, published by Chalet5

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"Palace of Light" and "Saudi Moon"
Cairo 2006

go to

Palace of Light
Anne

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