Looking for a good dose of culture? Look no further; it’s happening in Marrakech. From February 9 to 12, the 1-54 fair makes a stop in the Red City. This art fair dedicated to contemporary African art was founded just 10 years ago by Touria El Glaoui (the daughter of the painter El Glaoui himself). Organized every year in London and New York, it returns to Marrakech for its 4th edition. If you think this kind of event is not for you, think again! Just take a look at the diverse variety of events to change your mind.
The fair itself brings together twenty galleries at the Mamounia Palace (eight of which are based on the African continent). But the festivities don’t stop there. From Dar Moulay Ali to Sidi Ghanem, through the Medina and the many Marrakech galleries, African art is displayed all over the city. Exhibitions, meetings, performances… here is our (incomplete) selection of events not to be missed.

The Spiritual Body and the Carnal Spirit (“Le corps spirituel et l’esprit charnel”)

At the initiative of Amina Benbouchta, twelve Moroccan artists have been invited to present a piece in dialogue with their own work. What is the relationship between art and sacredness? And what place does the sacred hold in our earthly life? Find the answers through the works of artists like Fatime Zahra Morjani, Ilias Selfati, Youness Atbane, Déborah Benzaquen, and Sanae Arraqas, among others. Located at the El Badii Palace, this collective exhibition promises to be one of the most enriching at 1-54 Marrakech.

El Badii Palace, Marrakech
Exhibition opens on February 9 from 5 pm
For more information, visit : www.csec.ma

Marrakech African Book Festival (FLAM : Festival du Livre Africain de Marrakech)

Artist and writer Mahi Binebine takes the opportunity of the 1-54 Marrakech fair to organize the very first Marrakech African Book Festival. Led by Fatimata Wane Sagna, Hanane Essaydi, and Younès Ajarraï, it will take place in the Red City from February 9 to 12. A literary event implies discussions. No less than forty authors (from about fifteen nationalities) will meet the public. Debates, roundtables, readings, book signings… the program looks so extensive that you’d have to make a copy of yourself to do everything.

FLAM
Les Étoiles de Jemaa el-Fna
36, Derb Fhal Zefriti, Marrakech.

“The Promise of the Imprint” Exhibition at Malhoun (“La promesse de l’empreinte”)

Brand new, the Malhoun space will open its doors on February 9, alongside the start of 1-54 Marrakech. Located in the heart of Guéliz, this new art gallery includes an artistic residency program, an experimentation laboratory, and a curatorial platform. The idea is to support and accompany emerging Moroccan artists who create a dialogue with established artists from Africa and beyond. On the occasion of its very first event, the public will be able to discover the work of numerous artists such as Eric van Hove, Sammy Baloji, Nassim Azarzar, Younes Rahmoun, Hicham Benohoud, M’Barek Bouhchichi, and Khadija El Abyad.

Malhoun
175 rue Mohammed El Beqal, Guéliz, Marrakech
On February 9 from 7 pm.

Night of the Galleries (“La Nuit des galeries”)

Why settle for one exhibition when you can see several in one evening? As part of Night of the Galleries on Thursday, February 9, you can discover many exhibitions “by night”. On the program? A solo show by Yasmina Alaoui at the Comptoir des Mines, and the opening of the exhibition “La saveur des couleurs” at Galerie 38. And if you missed “Gâta Bantu” by Yvanovicth Mbaya at the CDA Gallery in Casablanca, you can catch it at L’Blassa artspace.

You can find all the information on the 1-54 Marrakech

Mera o Ness at Dada

The Dada team, known for organizing the most underground exhibitions (and parties) at 1-54 Marrakech, has struck again. This year, they have invited Karim Chatter, a.k.a. Style Beldi (the Moroccan influencer we all love), to exhibit his work on the walls of this huge space located in the heart of Jema El Fna. Through his photographs, the young Casablancan pays tribute to Moroccan women, mothers, “dadas,” and protective figures who populate his life.

Mera o Ness
Starting from February 11
Art Space Dada
Jema El Fna, Marrakech.

Picture (c) : Loft Art Gallery