Mashrabia Gallery, curator of From Rags to Riches project, invites you to join FRTR Platform, the second phase of the project. FRTR Platform will start with a series of three lectures and Q&A discussions with prominent Egyptian artists and architects who will share their experience to engage audiences and foster awareness on public space, public art and use of up-cycled materials. In view of the upcoming call for proposals for the final exhibition, FRTR Platform aims to become a dynamic and permanent tool to create encounters and share knowledge and experiences.

Programme will be as follows: 

Sun 31 May: Rethinking the Public Space: Egypt as a hub
Nancy Albert and Dr. Hany El Miniawy 
Landscape architect Nancy Albert analyses the meaning of public space, both as a physical and a social dimension. The lecture discusses the impact of landscape over community development, highlighting its limits and challenges. 
Community architect Hany El Miniawy, who has been extensively working in Cairene informal areas, focuses on various interventions in public space aimed at developing culture and education for the youth. 

Sun 7 June: Egyptian Contribution in Public Art: values and challenges
Ahmed Karali and Vahan Telpian 
Artists Vahan Telpian and Ahmed Karali examine their practice as creators of artwork for public space. Speakers contrast their experiences in Egypt and abroad. The lecture tackles their ideas, the challenges they face, and the meaning of their work from artistic and social perspectives. 

Sun 14 June: Trash as a Source: Recycling and Upcycling 
Huda Lutfi, Mohammed Abla, Hesham Nawwar and Said Kamel
Artists Huda Lutfi, Mohammed Abla, Hesham Nawwar and Said Kamel illustrate their work realised through recycling/up-cycling techniques. Referring to their own experiences, speakers discuss how discarded materials can be transformed into a valuable art piece. 

All encounters will be held at Mashrabia Gallery, 6.30pm