The Mosaic Rooms

In partnership with the Architecture Foundation, The Mosaic Rooms brings together artists and researchers to shed light on conceptualising the house museum. Mahmoud Khaled, Nadine Nour el Din and Laura Mark are in conversation about their ongoing research and work on house museums in Cairo and London. In focus is Khaled’s research and art practice on proposals for house museums, Laura speaks about house museums in London, in particular Walmer Yard and Nadine’s work highlights Mr. & Ms. Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum in Cairo.

The online discussion is part of programme accompanying the exhibition Fantasies on a Found Phone, Dedicated to the Man Who Lost it by Mahmoud Khaled.

The Architecture Foundation leads the conversation on the development of London and contributes to a global discourse about the architect’s changing role and responsibilities through the delivery of an accessible public programme that makes space for emerging architects, groups historically underrepresented in the profession, and representatives of a wide range of related disciplines. Exploring the architect’s capacity to combat climate change and systemic social inequalities represent central concerns of the programme.

About the speakers

Mahmoud Khaled was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and currently works in Berlin. His practice is both process oriented and multidisciplinary, can be regarded as formal and philosophical ruminations on art as a form of political activism, and a space for critical reflection. He has presented in international solo shows and group shows such as Bonner Kunstverein, Bonn (2019), Kunstinstituut Melly, Rotterdam (2018), Istanbul Biennale (2017), Sharjah Bienniale (2017), Whitechapel Gallery, London (2016). He was a guest artist at the DAAD Artists-in-Berlin programme in 2020.

Laura Mark is an award-winning architecture critic, curator and filmmaker. She is the Keeper of Walmer Yard, where she curates a number of cultural projects which look at how we experience architecture. Laura is currently undertaking a PhD at Newcastle University and teaches at Sheffield School of Architecture. Trained as an architect, Laura worked in architectural practice and as part of the editorial team of the Architects’ Journal. Laura’s films include the documentary Zaha: An Architecture Legacy (2017). In 2020, Laura was named by the London Festival of Architecture and the Design Museum as one of ‘an emerging generation of voices in architecture who are expanding the parameters of what architecture can be’. More about Laura Mark

Nadine Nour el Din (b. Cairo, Egypt) is a researcher, writer, and cultural practitioner. She holds a BA in Visual Arts from the American University in Cairo, an MA in History of Art from The Courtauld, and an MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy from Goldsmiths, University of London. Her academic, artistic, curatorial, and research work focuses on the arts and cultural production of the Arab world and wider region.

Images:

1.Mahmoud Khaled, Proposal For a House Museum of an Unknown Crying Man, 2017, Commissioned for the 15th Istanbul Biennial. Courtesy of the artist and Sharjah Art Foundation.
2.Mr. & Mrs. Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum, Cairo. Courtesy of Nadine Nour el Din
3.Walmer Yard. Photography by Helene Binet. Courtesy of Walmer Yard.
4.Portrait Mahmoud Khaled. Courtesy of the portrayed.
5.Portrait Laura Mark. Courtesy of the portrayed.
6.Portrait Nadine Nour el Din. Courtesy of the portrayed.