What's On
Istituto Marangoni Talk - 'Art and Fashion: Weaving Heritage into Aesthetics' at La Mamounia
Date: Saturday 10th of February
Address: Business Center- Mezzanine at La Mamounia
Time: 11 am – 12:30pm – followed by a networking session with a cocktail reception at the Moroccan restaurant of La Mamounia at 12:30pm
Creation is a by-product of human societies: there is no civilization in history who didn’t imprint their environment with their own vision of beauty through architecture, everyday or unique objects, and, substantially, art. This human need is common, but individual to every time place and society, and down to each single person, the drive to answer the eternal questions “who am I” “where do I come from” and “why am I here” always finds a way of expression that can span from symbolic to mundane means, through the uniquely personal voices of artists, but also the simple choice of everyday clothes.
Book HERE
Fondation TGCC x Montresso* Art Foundation TALK : "Emerging contemporary creation: the challenges and dynamics of support" - at La Mamounia
Date: Saturday 10th of February
Address: Business Center- Mezzanine at La Mamounia
Time: 3pm – 4:30pm
In the context of 1-54 Marrakech, Fondation TGCC and Montresso* Art Foundation are pleased to present a conversation about emerging contemporary creation. Through Prix Mustaqbal, the two cultural institutions have been collaborating for four years in supporting emerging artists of the competition. Meryem Bouzoubaa and Estelle Guilié will engage in a discussion with Mouad El Bissaoui, winner of the competition in its second edition, as well as Hajar El Moustaassime, a finalist of Prix Mustabqal in its first edition in 2021.
Please note that this talk will be in French with no translation.
Book HERE
'Building Sustainable Art Ecosystems in Africa' Talk at La Mamounia
Date: Saturday 10th of February
Address: Business Center- Mezzanine at La Mamounia
Time: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
In recent times, artist-led spaces in Africa have witnessed a surge in visibility, underscoring their substantial contributions to the art and cultural ecosystem. While these spaces have long existed and played pivotal roles, various factors have converged to bring them newfound attention. Similarly, more African artists and nations are actively participating in global art events such as the Venice Biennial, Munster, Documenta, and others. Analysing this phenomenon and extracting insights from the experiences in Accra, Tamale, Dakar, and Lagos can provide valuable lessons for burgeoning art communities in Togo, Benin, Cameroon, and beyond. This exploration aims to guide the development of sustainable models tailored to the unique contexts of these emerging art scenes, emphasizing the importance of building sustainable infrastructure on the continent beyond event-based economies.
Speakers: Barthelemy Toguo (Artist and founder Bandjoun Station), Selom Kudjie (Artist, Artistic Director SCCA Tamale), Khaled Igue (Author, Collector and Art Patron). This talk will be moderated by Joanna Gong (Auction Specialist, Collector, Director of Partnerships for Benin Pavilion)
Book HERE
“In the Taxi X 154” – By the magazine I CAME FOR COUSCOUS, 2nd edition 02.24
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th of February
Address: La Mamounia
Time: Friday February 09 & Saturday February 10 – 10 AM to 7 PM
“In the Taxi, Vox Populi” is a unique experience, curated and produced by Mouna Anajjar, founding publisher and editor-in-chief of the magazine I CAME For COUSCOUS, which takes the form of urban rides, snippets of conversations overheard in taxis in Marrakesh, Tunis, Cairo, Beirut, Algiers, Paris, Dubai… or London. What better way to take the pulse of a city?
In February 2023, a special edition was created for the 1-54 Marrakech Fair. In the forecourt of the mythical La Mamounia hotel, an extraordinary black sedan was waiting for our guests – a patchwork of personalities from the art world – to take them on a wander across the streets of the Red City.
Contact if you are interested to participate: [email protected]
IN-DISCIPLINE SENEGAL MUTATIONS and IMAGOS at Fondation Montresso*
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address: Fondation Montresso*, J58J+V38, N8, Marrakech 40000
IN-DISCPLINE’s 6th edition, in collaboration with 1.54, shines a spotlight on Senegal, curated by Ousseynou Wade, Advisor to the Director General of the Museum of Black Civilisations (Dakar, Senegal). Featuring six artists – Arébénor Basséne, Aliou Diack, Babacar Diouf, Sambou Diouf, Ina Makosi, and Amy Celestina Nidone – the exhibition echoes the voices of evolving territories. Through paintings and photographs, these artists offer unique, subversive perspectives with the human experience at the core. Art becomes a response to the demands of contemporary society, tackling mutations, adaptations, and concessions. IMAGOS unfolds at the Galerie des Résidents of the Montresso* Art Foundation from February 8th to April 13th, 2024, featuring a convergence of the artistic realms of French-Moroccan artist Mouna Saboni and South African artist Barbara Wildenboer. Their visual exploration, blending photography and text, intricately stitches together fragmented poetry, reflecting on a world in need of reconstruction – or, more precisely, recomposition.
More information HERE
Gallery Night
Date: Thursday 08th February
Address: Gueliz & surroundings
Time: 6pm+
A significant number of galleries in Gueliz organize openings on Thursday evenings, creating a discovery route in Marrakech. Our audience and guests explore Gueliz, moving from gallery to gallery to discover various artists. These include La Galerie 38, LOFT ART GALLERY, MALHOUN, Comptoir des Mines, Galerie 127, L’blassa Art Space, and Galerie SINIYA28 etc. Openings as part of Gallery Night do not require confirmation of attendance
'Souvenances' at Institut Français de Marrakech
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address: Institut Français de Marrakech, JXRF+MPH, Route de Targa
Explore ‘Souvenances’ at the Institut Français de Marrakech, delving into the intersection of memory, territory, and transmission within its architectural narrative. From military barracks to a high school and now a cultural hub, the exhibition reflects on the evolving layers of the space. Featured artists include Amina Azreg, Hendrik Beikirch, Nasreddine Bennacer, and others, offering diverse perspectives on the theme.
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More information HERE
Retrospective exhibition, "À l’épreuve du temps" at the Es Saadi
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address: Es Saadi Marrakech, Avenue Quadissia, 40000
This retrospective exhibition, À l’épreuve du temps, highlights Farid Belkahia’s significant contribution to Moroccan art and his global impact. From expressionism to easel abandonment, from his works on copper to those on skin and paper, the exhibition covers a broad spectrum of the artist’s career. This unique exhibition testifies to a mutual friendship and fascination that continues to link an artist inhabited by the certainty of his approach, to the Bauchet-Bouhlal family.
More information HERE
Le MAP Marrakech - Monde des Arts de la Parure (Monde des Arts de la Parure)
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address: Monde des Arts de la Parure, 39, 40 Ksibat Nhass, Marrakech 40000
In the heart of the Medina, The MAP Marrakech presents to the public nearly 3000 pieces of adornments, ornaments, jewelry, clothing, and textiles. This collection was curated from the 7000 pieces gathered by Marlène and Paolo Ponce-Gallone over several decades of passionate travels and research.
More information HERE
Film Projection: "Invisible Beauty by Bethann Hardison and Frédéric Tcheng "at Musée Yves Saint Laurent
Date: Thursday 08th February
Address: Rue Yves St Laurent, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Screening of the documentary film Invisible Beauty by Bethann Hardison and Frédéric Tcheng ―the first showing of the film on the African continent―will take place at the Pierre Bergé Auditorium of the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech (mYSLm) on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:30 pm. This 2023 film (115 min) will be shown in its original, English version.
More information HERE
The Other in The Self الآخر في الذات
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th of February
Address: 114-116 QI Sidi Ghanem Marrakech
“The Other in The Self” is a personal exploration into the complexities of my identity, the defining aspects of my shadow, and how I perceive the members of my community. Through a mix of stills and video installations, the exhibition reinforces the idea that reconnecting with oneself involves two main states: the still moments and the dynamic ones. It’s only by finding a harmonious balance between the two that I can reach my destination—a reunion with the entirety of my true self.
More information HERE
MCC Gallery - Group Show
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address: 281, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
During 1-54 Marrakech in February, MCC Gallery presents a Group Show featuring artists with diverse and transgressive artistic approaches: Amine El Gotaïbi, Yassine Balbzioui, Mustapha Azeroual, Houda Kabbaj, and Fouad Bellamine.
More information HERE
عىل طول الجدار Along the wall
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address: 52 derb Aarjane Rahba lakdima Medina, Marrakech, Marrakesh
“Along The Wall” explores the metaphorical essence of the wall through a series of visual narratives that unveil the tension perpetually coursing through the adjacent streets—caught between its allegorical significance and the practicalities of everyday life. By using the wall as both a pretext and a symbolic space, the project seeks to depict the socio-economic conditions of communities laboring along the wall. The focus is on their ongoing efforts to overcome the wall and the psychological, social, and economic barriers it represents.
More information HERE
Lettering in composite by Mariem Abutaleb at L'BLASSA Art Space
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address:N3, Immeuble, 38 Rue Tariq Bnou Ziad, Marrakech 40000
The exhibition will be shedding light on the Arabic script through the art of lettering. Arabic lettering is an eloquent tool in emphasizing the power and uniqueness of the Arabic script. Letters have the potential to be conceptualized into abundant compositions and pieces, owing to their diverse and unique attributes. In virtue of the sophistication of the Arabic script, this exhibition will be experimenting boundless forms and styles of Arabic letters through qrtwork qnd pqtterns; the artwork will accentuate the lettering style and formations using Arabic script, and the patterns will be creating a visual language throughout experimental writing/lettering compositions.
More information HERE
MALHOUN – group show: 7dit o mغzel / حديث أو مغزل / ⵃⴷⵉⵜ ⵡ ⵎⵖⵣⵍ
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address: 175 Rue Mohammed el Beqal, Marrakech
Malhoun is a pluridisciplinary experimental venue combining a gallery space, an international residency program and studios for young Moroccan artists. This year it starts with a group show in the main ground floor, as well as 4 studios and a collector viewing room/office on the second floor: Fayçal Tiaïba and Miza Mucciarelli in room 9, the Mujun-Fenduq collaboration by Eric van Hove and Shinya Kobayashi in room 8, Malhoun office and collector viewing room gathering a design team composed of Alex Foradori, Sofia Topi, Bianca Schick and Ned Kaar in room 7, the studio of Khadija El-Abyad in room 6, and the studio of Nabil Himich at the end of the corridor in room 5. The terrace and courtyard are open for performances, concerts, workshops, gatherings, and film screenings on an ongoing fashion.
More information HERE
Alia Ali: حب/ LOVE Series, 2021
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address: Riad El Fenn, Derb Moulay Abdullah Ben Hezzian, 2, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
In collaboration with Galerie SINIYA28, the photographic series, حب (hub) // LOVE pushes back against the forced reorientation of the native tongue of Alia Ali, Arabic, and sparks a dialogue with one word حب , reclaiming the beauty and nonviolence of her language. By employing photography, textile, and text, this body of work presents various points of entry to complex notions of inclusion, exclusion, erasure, and the politicization of the body and language. Through multiple gradations of color, single images are refracted across five surfaces demonstrating expanded interpretations of love– its expression, reception, and acceptance.
More information HERE
Anima Garden - Le Retour Du Paradis
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address: Douar Sbiti | KM28 – Route d’Ourika |
ANIMA is a magical place of surprising beauty that you wouldn’t expect in the loud and crowded area of greater Marrakech. It’s not only a garden: it’s an impressive botanical staging. 250+ types of plants, from bamboo over palms and cacti, interact with pieces of art by Pablo Picasso, Keith Haring, undiscovered local talents and many more. Furthermore, two museum rooms present artists from around the world. Our own Café Paul Bowles offers meals made with spices and ingredients from the garden like saffron, mint or olives.
More information HERE
HORIZON RISING - Alia Ali Exhibition at Galerie Siniya28
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address: 28 Rue Tarik Ibn Ziad, 1er étage, Apt 4 Gueliz
HORIZON RISING is a multi-faceted exhibition that transports us on a colourful adventure, woven with different shades of indigo in which we experience “the cyclical nature of the Universe, from dawn to dusk”. HORIZON RISING highlights Alia Ali’s practice combining long years of travel, research, exploration and introspection and mixing her flagship series such as INDIGO (2019-2021), MIGRATION (2021-2022) and WARP (2022).
More information HERE
NOIR SUR BLANC - THE WAREHOUSE at Mandarin Oriental
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address: Mandarin Oriental Marrakech
The launch of The Warehouse curated by Carmen Haid inaugurates Mandarin Oriental Marrakech’s new art space and will support the long-term development on international and local artists, promoting Moroccan and African culture. It serves as a bountiful environment for creative Director Carmen Haid and Artist/Architect Idriss Karnachi to express their shared vision of Moroccan creativity and cultural expression. Their joint art exhibition, “Noir sur Blanc” blends new concepts and curated objects within the context of Marrakech and Morocco and creates art from the interplay between tradition and modernity.
More information HERE
Stella Cadente x Seloua Ejjennane - at the Riad Concept Store of Stella Cadente
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February
Address: N°29, riad laarousse, derb el guerraba à marrakech
In the showroom of The Riad Concept Store by Stella Cadente in Marrakech, visitors will encounter a blend of oriental charm and contemporary luxury. Decorative objects, fashion pieces, and jewelry, crafted through collaborations with local artisans, reflect Moroccan culture while pushing design boundaries. Among the featured artists, Seloua Ejjennane presents her sculptures, adding a whimsical and unique touch to the space. Crafted from recycled materials, her artworks embody themes of fragility and cultural intersection, enriching the overall visitor experience. Artists like Stella & Claudel also contribute to the ambiance, employing innovative techniques to create layered artworks that explore the delicate balance between cultures and the resilience found within
More information HERE
RETOUR A LA NATURE / BACK TO NATURE at Galerie Tindouf
Date: Thursday 08th February – Sunday 11th February – Opening on Thursday 8th February from 6 pm to 9 pm
Address: Galerie Tindouf, 22 Boulevard Mohammed VI Gueliz, Marrakech, Morocco
BACK TO NATURE is an invitation to travel into our own interior gardens where our memories and roots flourish and ground us at the same time.
More information HERE