Alexandria: Past Futures

By:

Arnaud Quertinmont

Contributor(s): Material type: Text

TextPublication details: Brussels: Bozar, Mucem, ACTES SUD, Mercatorfonds, 2023; New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2023Description: 240 p., ill., maps., col.; 28 cmISBN:

9789462303386

Subject(s):

Genre/Form:

Exhibition catalog -- Museum objects -- Artwork -- Belgium

Summary: “Alexandria: Past Futures” revisits the former Egyptian megapolis, founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great, at the height of its history, highlighting its urban, political and religious organisation and some of the numerous scientific innovations and philosophical expressions that shaped it into one of the ancient world’s civilisational centres. The publication aims to go beyond the usual stereotypes (Greeks, Egyptians, the Lighthouse, the Library) and to take the visitor on a journey of discovery of an ancient city that is full of nuances. Several recent discoveries have enabled us to refine our knowledge of the city. By examining multi-layered temporalities, it also echoes dominant accounts of Alexandria as one through which successive civilisations and political formations of the past (Byzantine, Arab, Modern) have rehearsed visions of futures that are either no longer present or remain felt through the city’s material culture and its built environment. A series of contemporary artworks develops a critical and poetic association with all the themes covered throughout the book.

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Holdings
Item type	Current library	Call number	Status	Date due	Barcode
Books	Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo (NVIC) Library First Floor - 1.06	M 204 (Browse shelf(Opens below))	Available		M 204

The book was prepared on the occasion of the exhibition "Alexandria: Past Futures" that was organised by the Domaine et Musée royal de Mariemont, Bozar - Centre for fine arts, Brussels, and the Mucem - Museum of Civilisations of Europe and the Mediterranean.

“Alexandria: Past Futures” revisits the former Egyptian megapolis, founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great, at the height of its history, highlighting its urban, political and religious organisation and some of the numerous scientific innovations and philosophical expressions that shaped it into one of the ancient world’s civilisational centres.

The publication aims to go beyond the usual stereotypes (Greeks, Egyptians, the Lighthouse, the Library) and to take the visitor on a journey of discovery of an ancient city that is full of nuances. Several recent discoveries have enabled us to refine our knowledge of the city.

By examining multi-layered temporalities, it also echoes dominant accounts of Alexandria as one through which successive civilisations and political formations of the past (Byzantine, Arab, Modern) have rehearsed visions of futures that are either no longer present or remain felt through the city’s material culture and its built environment. A series of contemporary artworks develops a critical and poetic association with all the themes covered throughout the book.

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