https://youtu.be/ie6zQe-QL2U
Interview by: Ali Abu-Dashish
CAIRO, Dec. 24 (SEE)- Being one of Egypt’s international soft power, Farouk Hosni has contributed much to his country either through his exceptional art or ministerial duties.
The Fine Arts graduate is one of the most prominent fine artists in Egypt and the Arab world, his works have been showcased in international museums including; Le Louvre, Tokyo, Fort Lauderdale and others.
To enrich your thought, scroll down for the full interview that illustrates the rich art-life and vision of Hosni.
• Upon assuming the Ministry of Culture for more than quarter a century, how did your vision, as an artist, reflect on ministerial duties?
The ministry is an art and culture is an art; it is a creative ministry, so the one in charge of it should think outside the box. You have to be creative to innovate and run this ministry. I was keen to redevelop the intellectual vision to overcome the old one through establishing a number of institutions including cultural palaces and museums and launching a number of initiatives that deal with fine arts and cinema.
Renovation embraced libraries besides inaugurating gigantic archaeological projects such as the Great Egyptian Museum and Heritage Museum. Egypt is home of 140 persified museums, 58 cultural palace in different governorates and 150 libraries in different villages.
Photo credit: Mohamed Youssef
• Is it a must for the one who runs the Ministry of Culture to be creative?
It is not a must. Instead, he may employ imagination and new visions to solve issues. He should be either supportive or creative.
• What is your definition for culture?
In my own point of view, culture is the civilized behavior of human beings, when you implement culture you can do everything.
• What about fixing statues in the middle of main squares?
A square statue is not different from any other statue. No one can say that we have to place a pharaonic statue in any square, it is not appropriate. The only pharaonic monument that can be located inside squares is an obelisk, as it is an abstract work but not necessary to be used for decorating. There are fine types of palms but the place and size should be picked precisely.
• Tell me more about your last exhibition in Kuwait?
This is the second exhibition in Kuwait since 1998; the organizers contacted me to showcase 39 of my artistic works in a private hall at CAP institution. A date was set and there was huge attendance, most importantly youth.
Abstract works need someone aware to feel the work. The emotional meaning is absolute and does not include any kind of diagnostic description of things. Children and youth, can understand such works as at early stages when you ask someone to draw he/she will draw abstract paintings based on primitiveness, each artist has a child inside him, if this child dies the artist dies.
I become extremely happy when young children and youth attended my exhibitions and got fascinated with my paintings as this true language is free of philosophy, a drawing merely speaks of itself.
Photo credit: Mohamed Youssef
• How do you rate ministers of culture?
Everyone has his own personal and societal backgrounds, especially in the last 8 years. Our society has been shaken several times resulting in some kind of societal and economic disparity thus each minister has his own unique circumstances and weapons to work with.
• How do you evaluate Egypt’s archaeological discoveries?
The archaeological discoveries are fascinating; there is a worldwide census over the greatness of ancient Egyptian civilization. The unearthed antiquities complete the records of history, discoveries are a must to reach a comprehensive understanding of the secrets of the great pharaohs.
• Could you narrate more about "Farouk Hosni Institution"?
It is a museum as well as a cultural and artistic institution that grants scholarships and awards in my name to all creative work in abstract art and literature. I will donate this for people as they are the source of power, life and status to any nation.
• Who is the best Minister of Antiquities after you?
Dr. Zahi Hawass has a huge capacity to define antiquities besides his ongoing work in excavations. Amongst the most prominent excavations he unearthed are; the tombs is the builders of the pyramids, the valley of royal mummies, the tomb of the ruler of the oases and currently he is excavating in Luxor. His constant presence abroad to promote Egypt through giving lectures. From here, I say that Zahi Hawass is an Egyptian trademark.
Photo credit: Mohamed Youssef
• How can we promote tourism through culture?
Egypt embraces antiquities that exist in no other place worldwide, in addition to other elements such as medical tourism, coastal tourism, climate and nature.
Cairo is an exceptional cultural site, if we can restore it to its old times, the city would be the capital of the world. It needs better management and a number of intellect artists to refurbish its old beauty.
• What is your opinion on the semi-inauguration of the Heritage Museum?
Great work is not pisible. You can't establish an edifice then present a mini part of it, this way you have wasted its status and the surprise element vanished. The project should be commenced fully not partially.
Why did you ask for the full inauguration for GEM?
I solicited President Abdelfattah El-Sisi for the full inauguration of the museum and he approved it; it will commence fully in 2020.
• So, how can we propagate this opening?
International inauguration has people who can do it, and we have those who can, and that’s what we did when we opened Bibliotheque Alexandrina . We have to start preparations as of now and send invitations for worldwide leaders to reserve their calendars.
In addition, we need to train people on museum careers, public relations and everything that belongs to the museum.
Youth should be trained and sent to international museums to be professionally trained.
A post opening program should prepared, we are not commencing a building but a continuous dynamic institution. There should be a changing showcasing hall, preset activities either musical or artistic and interviews with global Archaeologists.
Photo credit: Mohamed Youssef
• What can we do with Tahrir Museum?
I suggest that it becomes the largest Egyptologist center worldwide that embraces cinema, lecture and display halls. We need to host great Egyptologist to give lectures and exchange knowledge with local scientists continuously. There should be activities, a museum school like that in Le louvre. It should be a destination for all Egyptologist and interested learners.
• What are the roles played by cultural palaces?
Technology has a huge impact on cultural palaces. I call upon the current minister of culture to include all the palaces in a mobile application.
• What do you think of demolishing heritage buildings?
It is a crime that history will rule. Alexandria’s basis is its buildings like in the Latin or Turkish districts. The city’s character has been distorted; Sultan Hussein Street, Foad Al-Manshia street and even Alraml district have all been left behind. All the villas and palaces that had a unique style have lapsed.
Photo credit: Mohamed Youssef
• How was Farouk Hosni raised?
My whole life is an interwoven institution and the place is ‘Anfoushi.’
Our house was by the sea, it greatly impacted me as I used to sit by the shore at night and listen to voices that are best described as symphonies.
In the morning, the horizon was open for me, all of this makes you creative, I used to read astronomical physics that widen imagination.
My love of international music evolved since I was eleven years old, I used to draw paintings and sell it to buy CDs.
I owned a huge musical library at 20 and was keen to develop my ear sense and vision besides inner feelings.
A human being must move his mind, vision and ear. I love to listen to poetry.
Also, friends were an important part that shaped part of my personality.
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