The landmark exhibition “The Casablanca Art School & Beyond l A New Moroccan Generation” offers a captivating glimpse into the Moroccan artistic landscape from the 1960s to the present day, with a spotlight on a new generation of multidisciplinary and innovative Moroccan artists.
The exhibition begins with iconic works by artists from the Casablanca Group, which shaped Morocco's artistic evolution during the 60’s and 70’s and were renowned for their bold departure from Western artistic conventions. This era witnessed the emergence of a new form of abstraction, infused with geometric shapes and materials inspired by Moroccan craftsmanship.
The show then goes on with a special showcase of artists from the new generation, including works by established artists such as Mahi Binebine and Mohamed Anzaoui both influenced by the Casablanca movement and its social commitment. Despite the diversity of their artistic backgrounds, Binebine and Anzaoui both share poignant reflections on the human condition and the myriad of experiences shaping Moroccan society.
Towards the latter part of the exhibition are showcased graphic works by two emerging artists, Reda Boudina and Kamil Bouzoubaa-Grivel, from Morocco and its diaspora. Their works challenge our perception of surface and depth, using unique techniques and unconventional materials such as concrete, plexiglass, metal or oil based ink in their compositions.
Inspired by the quintessential brutalist architectural movement originating in the UK in the 50s and prevalent in Moroccan urban landscape, Boudina uses concrete as a primary material, blending it with other mediums in original compositions. Meanwhile, Bouzoubaa-Grivel explores a novel approach to drawing that blurs the boundaries between digital and physical realms, drawing inspiration from graphic patterns and Japanese comics.
By presenting a range of techniques and styles across established and emerging artists, the exhibition strives to reflect the richness and vitality of the contemporary art scene in Morocco.
