Today I taught three classes of third graders at African Hope, a school in Maadi for African refugees, about how to look at and understand art. These kids have been through a lot in their lives and have seen some things that I cannot even imagine. But they have still managed to become an amazing bunch of talented artists and smart kids! They really love to draw mountains and stars, which might be inspired by a some van Gogh paintings I showed them.
Also the Egyptian army apparently attaches pieces of broken glass on top of their brick walls surrounding the military compounds to prevent people from climbing over them. At first I thought it was a mosaic and went closer to examine, before I saw the lazy soldier sort of leaning on his gun standing around the corner… very glad I didn’t follow the impulse run towards that “art.” Oh, Egypt…
I don’t even know what to say about the juxtaposition of news. Both the thought of teaching art classes to kids (Egyptian or not) and approaching a wall topped with glass shards with a gunman standing nearby — fill me with apprehension and fascination. All I can think is that you are being transformed this year. Please wait up for the rest of us. 🙂