CASABLANCA ART SCHOOL

In the organizer's words:

THE SCHIRN PRESENTS THE UNIQUE AND INFLUENTIAL WORK OF THE CASABLANCA ART SCHOOL IN A FIRST MAJOR EXHIBITION

Only a few years after Morocco's independence in 1956, a vibrant center of cultural renewal developed in Casablanca. The SCHIRN presents the unique and influential work of the Casablanca Art School in a first major, long overdue exhibition. The main representatives of this innovative school, Farid Belkahia (1934-2014), Mohammed Chabâa (1935-2013), Bert Flint (1931-2022), Toni Maraini (*1941) and Mohamed Melehi (1936-2020), together with students, teachers and associated artists, quickly became a central driving force for the development of post-colonial modern art in the region. Their aim is to open up to local history and the new social reality. In dialog with the ideas of the Bauhaus Manifesto, among others, the relationship between art, crafts, design and architecture is redefined in the local context by combining artistic influences from Western metropolises with elements of the traditional heritage suppressed during the colonial era. The SCHIRN is presenting around 100 works, including large-format, colorful, abstract (wall) paintings, graphic experiments and everyday objects, as well as extensive documentary material. A specifically Moroccan art scene becomes visible, which is located transnationally.

An exhibition organized by the SCHIRN KUNSTHALLE FRANKFURT, Tate St Ives and the Sharjah Art Foundation. Curated by Morad Montazami and Madeleine de Colnet for Zamân Books & Curating with Esther Schlicht and Luise Leyer, SCHIRN KUNSTHALLE FRANKFURT. Associated researchers: Fatima-Zahra Lakrissa and Maud Houssais.

July 12, 7 pm - Talk with the curators
Free admission