Egyptians move to reclaim streets through graffiti

Graffiti has turned into perhaps the most fertile artistic expression of Egypt's uprising, The Associated Press reports, as street artists duel it out to shift public opinion for or against the ruling military council:

During the regime of Hosni Mubarak, Egypt had almost no graffiti on the walls of its cities. But when the uprising against Mubarak's rule erupted a year ago, there was an explosion of the art.

Taking control of the streets was critical for the thousands of Egyptians who eventually overthrew the country's authoritarian leader. The battle continues to be fought by graffiti artists who support the country's military rulers and those who want them to relinquish power. Read the full story.

Nasser Nasser / AP, file

Two women walk by a mural depicting faces of Egyptians killed before and after the revolution, in Tahrir Square in Cairo on Dec. 20, 2011. The slogans read "No conciliation" and #NOSCAF, referring to the ruling Supreme Council of the Army Forces.

Nariman El-Mofty / AP, file

A girl, left, posts an art piece made by Sad Panda, unseen, on a wall as flower vendors prepare a bouquet outside their shop in Cairo on Jan. 19.

Nasser Nasser / AP

A man walks by a graffiti that reads "Pride and dignity, No SCAF," on a road that leads to Tahrir Square on Jan. 29.

Ahmed Ali / AP, file

Soldiers beat a protester wearing a niqab during clashes near Tahrir Square on Dec. 16, 2011. Graffiti in the background depicts members of the military ruling council and reads "Killer".

Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

Graffiti written on the walls in Mohammed Mahmoud Street off Tahrir Square on Jan. 26.

To see more examples of Cairo street art, take a look at the suzeeinthecity blog and a map of graffiti locations.

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Discuss this post

The voice of the people, in art.

  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 6:58 AM EST

They are very talented artists and to use their talent to express what the people are feeling is amazing!!!

  • 1 vote
#1.1 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:34 AM EST

Hieroglyphics have come a long way.

    #1.2 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:07 AM EST

    They should be arrested and made to clean up the mess.

    Why do people around the world, always pick up our filthiest traits.

    • 1 vote
    #1.3 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:57 AM EST

    Welcome to the Arab Spring and the never ending protest. Mubarak is gone and people are still protesting, they never will see much freedom until the Islamic rule go to end and turn to a secular country , there was more freedom when Mubarak was ruling.

    • 1 vote
    #1.4 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:30 AM EST

    Islamists were not there during Mubarak days and people didn't see any freedom..! Now, tell me how do YOU know that there is less freedom now Mubarak gone???

      #1.5 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:02 PM EST

      I think the muslim brotherhood was started in the 1920's.

      didn't they kill sadat?

      I think we know more than you think pharoah sucker.

        #1.6 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:48 PM EST
        Reply

        some day they will realize they will have to start cleaning there own messes !

        • 3 votes
        Reply#2 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:07 AM EST

        Everyone needs help at times. Yes, when the people have a voice I am sure they will take care of their own "mess" as you call it. To keep rulers that will rise up one day to try and take over other countries and treat them the same horrible way they treat their own country is everyone's business. It is a global obligation to look after each other.

        Treat your neighbor as you would have them treat you. That includes other countries.

        • 2 votes
        #2.1 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:38 AM EST

        Obviously the average person in Egypt feels they have little to lose and have no ownership of their society. This is what happens when a small segment of the population aggregate all power and wealth.

        • 3 votes
        #2.2 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:46 AM EST

        Deborah , they should show the world there peaceful people and wanting too better the world and live peaceful with others around the world. before other countries need to feel "obligated" to help them !

        • 1 vote
        #2.3 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:00 AM EST
        Reply

        They are in for an eternity of strife. Obama has turned them over to the Muslim Brotherhood.

        If you are a woman expect to be abused, raped, and controlled. Please thank Obama for your fate.

        • 3 votes
        Reply#3 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:39 AM EST

        How true

        He's done the same to Tunisia and Libya. Set them adrift in the sea of hatred that is Islam.

        When are the first of the obama boat people from the middle east coming. Can't wait.

          #3.1 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:01 AM EST

          I think he may be responsible for the solar flares right now too oh, and, yes, the sticky gunk on my table knives. Heck, I think he is to blame for just about everything in the whole wide world. A, it just makes life so much simpler to see everything in black and white.

          • 1 vote
          #3.2 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:03 AM EST

          How stupid of me, Bush did it.

          I forgot, or have you moved off that one .

            #3.3 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:08 AM EST

            Well, if you insist.

              #3.4 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 12:51 PM EST

              The sad part that a lot of people act like they're the experts on topics like Islam, the middle east, and the Egyptian politics. The problem is, they don't even know the basic information about above topics, its very sad, so its easier to just blame Obama, everyone is doing it anyways, it must be the way to go..!

                #3.5 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:58 PM EST

                Egyptian

                Most of us have figured it out.

                Islam is a murderous 7th century cult that is out to create a world islamist caliphate.

                the middle east is a sh#t hole, dammed to eternal hell.

                egyptian politics is simple: whoever kills the most people, gets to rule. They don't know any different.

                obama is a liberal/progressive piece of crap

                No, I think I have it pegged.

                  #3.6 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:43 PM EST
                  Reply

                  People forget that while Mubarak was in office there were no attacks against Israel coming from Egypt.

                  Egypt was the only Arab country that had a peacet treaty with Israel.The Egyptian "leaders " of the revolution, the Muslim Brotherhood sponsored by Iran, have already said that they will be taking Egypt from a Democratic govt. to one of Shira law;All Arab countries that have Shira law hate Israel, America, and Christian countries, something the media doesn't want the general public to know. Why?

                    Reply#4 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:44 AM EST

                    Most people that post on msn will disagree with you because they hate the Jewish people.

                    They will end up siding with the arabs and islamists and will end up blaming the Jews.

                    It was more peaceful when the hordes were kept in check. Now they are being unleashed and it doesn't look good for the world.

                    • 1 vote
                    #4.1 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:06 AM EST

                    FYI, the Muslim Brotherhood were/are "NOT" the leaders of the revolution in Egypt. Iran(shiit) and the Muslem Brotherhood(sonney) dislike each others. Last, its not about Israel or the Jews, its about a military state (Israel) that happened to be jewish, that's occupying somebody's elses land (Palastine) and denying their right to exist, its that simple people..! And its called "Sharea" not shira, which has nothing to do with hating anybody, its rules and regulation of daily life affairs for Muslems, there is nothing wrong with educating yourself before you post something on the internet, at least you sound like you know what you're talking about!

                      #4.2 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:09 PM EST

                      The Jewish people were there before the conglomeration of Jordanians, Syrians ,Egyptians, and whoever else were organized by Arafat and the boy's for the cause. There is no palestinian people.

                      The so-called palestinians are the ancient Philistines( you know, of Goliath fame) and the Canaanites and the Amorites.

                      If you are muslim, surely you know the story of Isaac and Ismael? Don't you?

                      Oh, that's right, you subscribe to the basterdized version of Judeo-Christian religion.....Islam.

                      So Egyptian, Do you really know your history, or the muslim brotherhood version?

                        #4.3 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:05 PM EST
                        Reply

                        Wow...Egypt is really behind.

                        Graffiti played out like 15 years ago. Probably still listening to Jay-Z too.

                        Welcome to the 20th century.

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#5 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:53 AM EST

                        They do understand that the one about "Pride and Dignity" is Banksy, or at least inspired by Banksy?

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#6 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:01 AM EST

                        Islam is just so ugly, cruel, ignorant, backwards and sad. They want to inflict this misery on everybody. I guess if they are miserable and can't do anything about it they want to force the rest of the world to be as miserable as they are. Burka's, hajib's ridiculous. Any religion that tells you what to think, wear, or eat is to be avoided at all costs.

                          Reply#7 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:50 AM EST

                          hey one of those is a banksy.

                          worth 7 figures.

                            Reply#8 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:53 AM EST

                            Only in the Middle East could sneaking out at night to spray paint walls be called "taking control of the streets".

                              Reply#9 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:59 AM EST

                              I like the one where the little girl is playing grab ass with the soldier. Probably the most realistic one. Could be his wife?

                              I know, it's a modern day picture of moham-head and one of his newest brides.

                                Reply#10 - Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:40 PM EST

                                Yes Mubarak is gone,but his regime is still controlling the country .Protests will continue till the fall of the regime. No.It is not true that there was more freedom under Mubarak.Who say that didn't live in Egypt apparently unless they mean that there was a freedom for the regime to steal,collect bribes and torture people and keep them under arrest without any charges or even send them to military courts for false allegations after being proven innocent by civil courts.

                                  #10.1 - Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:53 AM EST
                                  Reply
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