Since it was established in 2004 by Vanessa Branson, the Marrakech Biennale has grown to become the premier arts event in Morocco on par with some of the biggest biennales of the contemporary art world. A generous mix of film, dance, poetry, sound art and, of course, visual arts of every ilk, this year’s MB5 surpassed its previous editions filling nearly every possible venue in the mystical rusty clay city of Marrakech.
It was my privilege to attend many of those events and openings myself … so I thought I would share a small sample of images. This year’s MB5 began at the 16th century palace of Sa’did Sharif Ahmad al Mansour, Palais el Badii, a name meaning “incomparable”. Long stripped of its original glory, this massive structure still holds a great deal of power in its expansive spaces, thick walls and cavelike prison cells.
Marrakech Biennale 2014 opening ceremonies at Palais el Badii
This year, those grand spaces were transformed by the sculptures and installations commissioned by the Biennale itself from a handful of artists
Max Boufathal salutes in front of his sculpture, Madonna One at Palais el Badii
We Always Have Options – 2014 – Hassan Khan & Ibtesam Gazder
For me, the highlight of the exhibits was Eric van Hove’s deconstructed/reconstructed Mercedes engine. Van Hove spent his time in Marrakech overseeing 16 Moroccan craftsmen as they fashioned replicate parts for the engine out of the materials of their respective trades. Leather, wood, bone, silver, ivory, pierced and embossed metals and shell mosaics … all perfectly fitted to transform the ubiquitous engine of Moroccan transportation into a truly unique work of art.
Eric van Hove – Testosterone – exhibition of parts at Dar Si Said
van Hove – Testosterone – MB5 2014 Bank of Maghreb
van Hove – Testosterone (installed) at the Bank of Maghreb … note signatures of the craftsmen around the base.
The finished engine was on display at the Bank of Maghreb on the Jemaa el Fenaa on a podium of local cork and wood … and signed around its base by all the craftsmen. Gorgeous!
Other highlights included the African Fabber Project, where a group of artists and engineers were exploring the potential of a reproducible low-cost 3D printer.
The African Fabber Project at la Blasa
3D Printer – African Fabbers Project – printing with clay slip
Tetouani artist Ismael at MB5 2014 la Blasa atelier
a brutally moving performance by local women at the Marrakech train station … in honor of their incredibly hard working mothers
That’s all for now … I hope to share more pictures in another post.
You might also enjoy this brief video by Jennifer Higgie … as she reflects upon the issues of place, history and mythology raised by the exhibitions at the Marrakech Biennale 2014.