Located behind ‘The Egyptian Olympic Centre’, on the amorphous line separating the upper middle class neighborhood of New Maadi and the Arab Al-Basateen informal area, ‘The Olympic Centre Garden’ has come to replace ’Al-Ahram Coop Complex’, which burned down completely in May 2007.

The circumstances surrounding the fire were described then in Al- Gomhureya newspaper as 'mysterious'. Less mysterious accounts of the story still circulate amongst the residents of the surrounding area who are fathoming the nature of the new space in transience... a front-yard, a backyard, grass to grow, image to conserve...

This Work consists of a 3-channel still-image loops with sound & text. The longest of the channels is 9min long & the

shortest is 7. The slow paced loops follow 3 different logics & aspects of the space, its physical appearance, its actual use, its location & historic context, the power dynamics that happen within such a fragile space, and the projections, aims & dreams of people who use the space.

The 3 projections are placed & designed in a way so that the viewer could decide on their own ways of following the 3 channels. The different lengths of the loops allow the viewer to constantly see a different combination of image, sound & text.

For viewing the full-length 3 channels compiled, please ask artist for access.

A fragile paper sculpture that takes the form of a watchtower. It is made out of pictures of drawings, marks & writings on the high wall that separates the garden from the houses of the garden’s users. The informal, cluttered houses are by that, covered from the sight of the Olympic Center visitors.

The wall photographs are printed on translucent paper, in an attempt to express an urge for uncovering. Romantic as well as aggressive language & marks are revealed within the layered sculpture.

In its position next to the 3 videos of Olympic Garden I, where the garden users talk a lot about the timing of turning the garden lights on and off, the sculpture itself, changes its brightness & color shades subtly with the changing lights beaming from the projected images.

Installation shots below are from the Exhibition Afropolis. Köln. 2009.