Two months to post the results of a weekend of Mad Graffiti is not only shameful, but retarded given that the event was heavily documented and photographed and written about on more than one news site. But... well, I've been busy. A little too busy, if you ask me. But it's high times to get busy, and I'd most probably regret it if I decide not to be busy in these oh so dire times my country is going through these days.
But anyway, Mad Graffiti Weekend was a blast. Huge success. Many volunteers helped in the recreation of Islam Raafat's mural in Falaky square, and others helped with the creation of a new mural in Zamalek that depicts a military tank about to collide with a local bread-biker. Other street-artists such as El Teneen, Adham Bakry, Omarxist, and Sad Panda created works to coincide with the event as well. Many documenters showed up with their cameras to capture the process and spirit of the weekend, including one from Al Jazeera and one from BBC UK, who insisted on referring to street-art as an act of vandalism in his coverage.
Tank vs. Bike piece in Zamalek, Cairo, with an obvious addition from Sad Panda. Photo by Maya Gowaily.
The return of Islam Raafat, thanks to the efforts of Hossam, Ahmed Hussein, Salma Said, Islam El Billy, and a whole army of awesome friends. Photo by Suzeeinthecity.
On May 23, Mohammed El Hebeishy wrote a blurb about the occurrence for Al Ahram Online, and Jano Charbel's write-up on AlMasryAlYoum said Mad Graffiti Weekend challenged military tribunals.
You can see a quick photographic rundown of Mad Graffiti Weekend's overall results on Jano Charbel's blog.
And below is some documentation by Sherif Naguib, Aida El Kashef, and Mostafa Hussein:
Volunteers hard at work during the tedious stencil-cutting process. Photo by Sherif Naguib.
That does not keep Nadim and Boghdady from having goofy fun! I should point out that Mad Graffiti Weekend would probably not be possible without the awesome organizational skills of Nadim. Photo by Sherif Naguib.
And of course I have to end up working on last minute designs, as the rest of the crew cuts the stencils that are ready.
Photo by Sherif Naguib.
Compiling Martyr Islam Rafaat's revival stencils. Photo by Sherif Naguib.
Group picture of the entire crew before hitting the streets.
Photo by Sherif Naguib.
Tiling massive stencils for the first layer of Tank vs. Biker mural in Zamalek.
Photo by Sherif Naguib.
Two passersby stop and observe the work-in-progress. Photo by Sherif Naguib.
First layer down (white), second layer to go.
Photo by Sherif Naguib.
A Kuwaiti tourist offers to help clean up the area in front of the wall. Photo by Sherif Naguib.
Boghdady being shot by Kristen Chick.
Photo by Sherif Naguib.
First layer almost done. Still a lot more to go.
Photo by Mostafa Hussein.
Have a great time. Make street-art.
Photo by Sherif Naguib.
BBC correspondent with his big camera and big light, as second layer is being applied.
Photo by Sherif Naguib.
Not only does the tweeting bring in volunteers, but it also brings in an audience of supporters.
Photo by Mostafa Hussein.
And not just grown ups.
Photo by Mostafa Hussein.
And, of course, there are the journalists and documenters.
Photo by Mostafa Hussein.
Touching up the bottom tile of the second layer.
Photo by Aida El Kashef.
After the ladder lenders asked for their ladder again, working on the higher up tiles was a little difficult, which prompted good friend and film director Amr Salama to lend a hand.
Photo by Mostafa Hussein.
Applying the second layer (black) of the bread-biker stencil.
Photo by Aida El Kashef.
Bread-biker down, still the tank to go.
Photo by Mostafa Hussein.
Seleit and Boghdady hard at work on the tanks upper tiles. Photo by Sherif Naguib.
Complete tank.
Photo by Sherif Naguib.
Complete bike.
Photo by Sherif Naguib.
Finished mural.
Photo by Mostafa Hussein.
And a final addition by Sad Panda.
Photo by Sherif Naguib.
