Purple Art

[November 16 2016]

Wael Shawky at the Castello di Rivoli Museum of Contemporary Art, Turin

Curated by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev and Marcella Beccaria, the retrospective of Wael Shawky, at the historic Castello di Rivoli, brings together the Egyptian artist’s highly praised film works, sculptures, and new wooden high-reliefs that trace the history of Crusades, from a Middle Eastern point of view. Shawky’s magnum opus, the film trilogy featuring “Cabaret Crusades: The Horror Show File” (2010), “Cabaret Crusades: The Path to Cairo” (2012), and “The Secrets of Karbala” (2015) comments on the contemporary instabilities in the Arab world. Set inside castle’s towers, the film and setting transport you into their world. Also featured are the wooden marionettes, taken from the Lupi collection at the Museo della Marionetta, used for the trilogy.

The Wael Shawky retrospective runs until February 5th, 2017 at Castello di Rivoli Museum of Contemporary Art, Piazzale Mafalda di Savoia, Turin.

Photo Annabel Fernandes