and had his hands broken by masked gunmen. The attack on the artist was described on the Facebook page of the US Embassy in Damascus as a “government-sponsored, targeted, brutal attack."39 Shell’s relationship with Assad’s regime has remained strong throughout 2011. In May 2011, when over a thousand people had been killed and more than ten thousand imprisoned in Syria during the popular uprising, Shell was sending a tanker to collect 600,000 barrels of crude oil worth $55 million from the state company. 17% of Syrian tanks – instrumental in the repression of the uprising – run on fuel derived from Shell crude.40 Shell has also promoted its political support of the regime on a number of occasions. Shell’s Deputy
64 CULTURE BEYOND OIL
General Manager in Syria has repeatedly praised the Syrian regime in terms that equate Assad’s regime with the Syrian people: “This success could not have been achieved without the strong partnerships that have been developed over the years between Shell and the Government of Syria. We believe that the relationship Shell has with the Government and the Syrian people is mutually beneficial.”41 Currently the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre the Science Museum and the National Gallery accept sponsorship from Shell, amongst several other cultural institutions in London. (see p. 90 for video link)
Ahmed Bassiouny Ahmed Bassiouny was a young arts professor, sound and visual artist and musician whose work was considered significant in a new generation of Egyptian artists. Bassiouny was killed during street protests on 28 January 2011, just days into the mobilisations that sparked the Egyptian revolution. Bassiouny had won a painting prize in 2001, and proceeded to explore more experimental forms, looking at digital interactive media, and participating in ‘Egypt Lab’ with Medrar Contemporary Art Foundation in Egypt and the Hangar Foundation in Barcelona. His music was to feature at SONAR Festival in Barcelona 2011. Ahmed