A contemporary art centre in the potters' district, with a view of the aqueduct and no interest in pharaohs.
Founded in 2008 by the artist Moataz Nasr in Fustat, on the edge of the potters’ quarter, Darb 1718 is one of the few independent contemporary art spaces in Cairo with a sustained programme.
It runs exhibitions, residencies, film screenings, concerts, workshops and a small festival, mostly showing Egyptian and regional artists working now. The building is a converted industrial structure with a roof terrace overlooking the Mamluk aqueduct and the pottery kilns.
Cairo’s contemporary scene is small, under-funded and periodically constrained — several independent spaces have closed since 2013 under licensing and security pressure, and Darb itself has faced demolition threats connected to redevelopment in the area. It is worth supporting for that reason as much as for the work.
What you get
Depends entirely on the season. There is no permanent collection, and the space closes between exhibitions, so check the website or their social media before travelling out.
When something is on, it is usually good and it is usually free or nearly so.
The potters’ quarter
Around it is Fustat’s pottery district, where workshops throw and fire by hand as they have for centuries. Some sell directly and some will let you watch. It is dusty, working and entirely unpackaged for visitors.
The Fustat Traditional Crafts Centre nearby was built to house artisans and sells ceramics, glass and textiles.
The other contemporary spaces
Townhouse Gallery in Downtown was the most important independent space in Cairo for two decades; it was raided and closed in 2015, partially reopened, and has had a difficult existence since. Check its status.
Medrar, Gypsum Gallery, Access Art Space and Mashrabia Gallery are the others worth following.
The Museum of Egyptian Modern Art at the Opera complex covers the twentieth century properly.
Practicalities
Metro Line 1 to Mar Girgis and a short taxi, or Uber directly. Combining it with Coptic Cairo and the NMEC, both nearby, makes the journey worthwhile whatever is showing.
Evening events are common; afternoons can be quiet.
