Jewel

Egyptian artist Hassan Khan's video installation Jewel begins with alternating shots of flickering blue lights and a luminescent fish. In the scene that follows, the fish slowly transforms into a loudspeaker adorned with similar blue lights. Soon after, the camera pans out to reveal two men in casual clothes dancing to Khan’s own composition of sha'abi music, a genre popular in Cairo and throughout Egypt.

The work is a reinterpretation of a scene the artist witnessed on a busy Cairo street, capturing the vibrant culture of the city and its unpredictability. In many of his works, Khan juxtaposes popular music and dance with cryptic imagery to create a unique aura that reflects his Egyptian cultural identity. The film was shot on a 35mm camera in one continuous take.