It's amazing how much governments can fear art. Can art offend? Is it provocative? Does change one's view of the world? Can it inspire? Art can and does all of that yet people, governments, political parties, social organizations and religious constantly rail against it. Art does all of that and more. Without art, how does creativity move beyond its current limits and grow inspiring new forms for all to appreciate? It does unless we allow and protect artists to pursue that what they imagine.
City’s deputy governor had ordered demolition to be postponed pending assessment of why a section collapsed
City’s deputy governor had ordered demolition to be postponed pending assessment of why a section collapsed
Armed police have enforced the partial demolition of one of Egypt’s most respected art galleries, heightening fears about its future after it was closed to the public in December.
Around 30 riot police surrounded the main building of Townhouse gallery in central Cairo on Monday, evicting residents and ordering labourers to start destroying the interior, according to witnesses.
The destruction happened despite an order from the deputy governor of Cairo on Sunday to postpone the demolition of the recently renovated five-storey building, which also houses several families and mechanics’ workshops, pending an assessment of why a section of it collapsed last Wednesday.
Alexandra Stock, a curator who worked at the gallery for five years, said at least 30 police arrived at about 8.30am on Monday and oversaw around a dozen workers, who ripped up the floors with “picks and shovels and their bare hands”.
“They appear to be creating significant damage throughout the whole building. It’s very hard to witness.”
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