Bassem Mohammed Ezzat

Biography

Bassem is a photographer for the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) in Cairo. His day to day responsibilities include: managing comprehensive photographic documentation for academic purposes (on excavations, in store-rooms and museums, on archaeological & historical sites, objects as well as landscape); digital post-processing of images and producing prints for publications; maintenance of photographic equipment; maintenance of the photographic archive of the institute including digitization of photographs and archiving digital data.

Previously Bassem was an Archaeologist and Photographer in the department of Antiquities and Information Affairs at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). In this role he was responsible for documentation, photography, storage and supporting the work of conservation and exhibition departments. Other previous experiences, which include working on documentation missions of archaeological sites for various institutions, have enhanced his skill set including developing his photography skills, knowledge about various types of material culture and ability to offer courses and workshops for colleagues and the public.

Bassem undertakes many projects including preparing for his masters degree in Near Eastern Studies, examining the military activities of the Hittites kings, and assisting with the preparations of exhibitions about the Memphite Capital and Islamic Cairo. He is also compiling a thesaurus of textile art in Egypt for the Egyptian Textile Museum.

Bassam was excited to learn new skills to share with his colleagues in Egypt, and to meet colleagues from across the world, during his time on the 2018 ITP summer programme.

At the British Museum
During his time on the International Training Programme, Bassem was based in the Department of Egypt and Sudan, and his partner placement was spent at Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives.

In 2018 participants were asked to plan and propose a temporary exhibition, drawing on their existing museum experience and the skills learnt during the programme.  Bassem worked with Ivan Radman-Lvaja (Croatia) on his Object in focus project, My journey is my home, my home is my life.

Bassem’s place on the International Training Programme was generously supported by the Barakat Trust