Pottery, pottery everywhere

A design class, of the American University in Cairo (AUC), ventures into a colorful village in the district of Fayoum in order to integrate life experiences to course content.

Certain courses at the AUC attempt on creating class trips to enhance a student’s talent or knowledge on a certain topic, or simply increase one’s interest in a class. However, we will describe this particular class’s journey and decide on whether it was indeed useful.

This design class embarked on its trip on November 23, a “Friday” at 8 AM, to which grunts and displeasure were expected from the students

The bus, which was the transport organized by the Department of the Arts, had two stops before it left to Fayoum.

The first was at AUC’s New Cairo campus to accommodate the students who lived there and the other pick-up point was Al Remaia Square in Giza at around 9 AM. From there on, the students made themselves or at least tried to make themselves comfortable as the toll gates and empty deserts zipped along in the background.

As they got closer to their destination, one cannot but help notice the change of landscape and architecture. The surrounding was calmer, brighter, and cleaner. The buildings were more simple and easy on the eyes. The clouds were grouped together in perfect unison against the light blue sky, as the reflection was perfectly imitated in ripples on Lake Qarun.

It was a good day. And so they reach the village of Tunis at 11 AM.

The students, feeling exhausted, slowly left the bus one after the other. After some time spent soaking in the sun and taking supposedly-professional photographs of landscapes and objects, they were asked to go to a small hall, which was filled with illustrations and creative writing.

The illustrations were all based on the work of the late artist, Hegazy. The author who spoke at this place explained how she integrated her writing based on his work instead of the traditional way of illustrating based on writing.

Later, the students entered the Caricature Museum, the spot light of the village, which is what usually reels in visitors.

The museum, needless to say, was spectacular. There was nothing special about the architecture of the building or its surroundings but the works displayed. There were different rooms that held several caricature displays. They were simply wonderful.

The students, as part of the course, were supposed to imitate the works that appealed to them and later their surroundings.

Hana Wahby, a Business Marketing senior, though she enjoyed the mood that was emitted from Fayoum, she however did not share the same views of her professor.

“It wasn’t related to the course. For the caricature museum, you could see it online,” she said.

Several students shared the same feelings but some simply saw it as an opportunity to see Fayoum and the museum.

However, Wahby is enrolled in this class because she “wants to be a graphic designer one day.” She does not think it will be through AUC but she feels that this course might be one of the first steps she takes.

The next highlight of their day would be to venture into the village of Tunis, famous for its potteries. They left the museum in a pack and explored the neighborhood and its pottery shops. Each held similar yet different works of art.

What drove the students to a state of awe were the wonderful sceneries of the lakes hidden behind some shops.

Back to the pots!

They were colorful, they were simple, they were pretty. The professor bought several pots and asked the students to pay attention to the designs. Other students purchased several items as well as there was actually nothing else to do.

“Pottery, three bowls, are they pots or clay, I don’t know,” said a disgruntled student.

After a long walk back to the museum to where their bus awaits, some students suddenly slept on their seats awaiting to leave.

They were able to reach Cairo at around 7 PM. Some satisfied with their purchases, others indifferent.

However, would they ever participate in such trips again?

“As long as it is called an art trip, I won’t,” said Wahby.