Exquisitely fashioned materials at Blanco Riad in Tetouan
Oh, I am loving the details of Moroccan craftsmanship!! This shot of the central room of local gueasthouse Blanco Riad let’s you in on the layers of handcrafted detail that have gone into Moroccan architecture for centuries. I have been told many times, however, that the truly gifted and skilled craftsmen are dying off without having left a generation to take their place at the same skill level. That is sad to hear! And, unfortunately borne out by the lesser quality work that is used to repair damaged older work.
as the ancient craft disintegrates, replacement pieces rarely match quality
This post is NOT a rant against today’s craftsman in Morocco by any means. The fact that in this country so many details of life are touched by skilled craftsmen is remarkable, compared to where I grew up! I am primarily noting the flux of the times in this rapidly changing country and finding a new appreciation of the amazing details when I find them. It’s like a treasure hunt and the gold is worth noting and sharing when found.
the value of the work: one mistake and the craftsman had to start over
So enjoy these images for the sake of the many flesh and blood hours that went into shaping the materials for glorious texture and meaning here in Morocco. Or better yet, come and hunt for the gold of handiwork with me and the few other foreign artists who find immeasurable inspiration in this beautiful land. Perhaps we’ll even have the privlege of working alongside the creatives of Morocco who are holding fast to their own rich tradition of excellence in detail and quality.
In Tetouan’s young artisans school, a young student learns metal piercing