Arts Lab 7.0: Loay ElMofty | Month V

This month we began with the Rroma residency, where Anes and I worked with children on understanding the visual identity of Rroma culture and what it means to construct visual identity in general. The process was both engaging and demanding. On one hand, it was exciting to see the students interpret symbols, colors, and cultural references in their own way. On the other hand, inconsistent attendance created challenges in continuity, forcing us to constantly adapt our methods and expectations. It became clear to me that teaching is not only about content, but about flexibility, patience, and the ability to rebuild momentum each day.

Soon after, we had our second intercultural night the Italian night organized by Annalisa. Through pizza, karaoke, and games, we experienced culture in a light and embodied way. It was not academic learning, but lived learning. During that evening, we also met two new local volunteers, Alex and Teodora, who later joined the program. It reminded me how community often grows in informal spaces.

We then performed JEMOM again at the Culture House. This time the performance felt stronger, perhaps because of the larger stage. The scale of the space shifted the energy and gave a sense of artistic growth. Repeating the performance allowed me to observe improvement and feel more confident in my presence.

Afterward, I shifted my focus toward personal artistic development. Inspired by others in the residency house, I decided to experiment with clay something new for me. Working with clay felt grounding and intimate, a completely different rhythm from performance or teaching. I created a sculpture based on a Rroma legend about a blacksmith who outsmarted and tamed the devil. The story itself resonated with themes of cleverness, resistance, and transformation. When we exhibited our works at the school, many children and visitors engaged with the interactive elements. Seeing them respond to the piece confirmed how tactile art can create immediate connection.

The month concluded with the Cucuteni and emotions residency, where I worked with Aya and Salma. Being three Egyptian instructors working together was a new and enjoyable dynamic. We led workshops with teenagers in a nearby village, and this group left a particularly strong impression on me. They were exceptionally intelligent and socially aware. Some of them are already organizing community activities for other young people, which surprised and inspired me. Out of all the residencies so far, they might have been my favorite group to work with.

Overall, this month balanced challenges with discovery. I learned more about adapting within educational structures, experienced the power of community through intercultural exchange, grew more confident in performance, and began exploring sculpture as a new artistic language. It was a month of movement between cultures, disciplines, and emotional landscapes and it expanded both my artistic practice and my understanding of collaborative work. I look forward to continuing this exploration in the coming months.

This monthly report was written by Loay El Mofty, our Egyptian volunteer taking part in a seven-month Arts Lab 7.0 mobility, co-funded by the European Union under the European Solidarity Corps.