Posts Tagged ‘Moroccan Artists’

Exploring Tameslouht’s Moroccan Handicrafts, Weavers and Embroiderers

Thursday, May 14th, 2020
Art-Tissage-Tameslouht-Cooperative-Man-with-Loom-Morocco-Travel-Exploration-Morocco

Art Tissage Tameslouht Cooperative Man with Loom

Morocco is famous for its artisan handicrafts and as you wander the streets of any Moroccan medina (old city), you will see stunning examples of local leatherwork, carpets, tasseled baskets, and blankets, soft furnishings, babouche slippers, carved wood and much, much more.  Moroccan style, textiles, and handicrafts have influenced major design houses and retail fashion outlets for many years, but these items have gained unprecedented popularity more recently – from the glossy pages of interior magazines and the profiles of Instagram influencers to the floors of houses and apartments across the globe.

A trip to Morocco is the ideal opportunity to source your own Moroccan handicrafts. You might want something for your homes, such as a rug or embroidered bedlinen, or something beautiful to wear, such as a bag or kaftan. The choice can, however, be overwhelming and the prospect of haggling for a good price in the souk where shops are packed floor to ceiling with beautiful items can be daunting for even the most enthusiastic shopper!

We have helped many travelers to Morocco with their purchases of gifts, souvenirs, and stunning artisan items. Here, we share our advice and expertise on buying these items directly from the artisans who produce them, with a highlight on weavers in the village of Tameslouht, in the foothills of the High Atlas mountain range.

Moroccan-Handicrafts-Art-Tissage-Tam-Travel-Exploration-Morocco

Moroccan Handicrafts Art Tissage Tam

Buying crafts from the artisans

Moroccan artisan goods make great souvenirs of your vacation that you will enjoy for many years, and there is no shortage of choice in any of Morocco’s medinas (old cities). However, most of the retail outlets in the medina source their wares from a long chain of middlemen, and the only certainty regarding the income for the original artisans is that it is minimal, once everyone has taken their share of the commission. If you are interested in supporting artisans to continue their crafts and pass them down through the generations as has been the practice for hundreds of years, it is best to go to the source. This means getting out of the cities and into the villages where weavers practice their craft.

If your trip takes you to Marrakech or through the High Atlas, you have a perfect opportunity to visit the village of Tameslouht. More accessible than some of the more remote villages further into the mountains, it is around 25km, less than one hour, from Marrakech city center, making it the perfect day trip. Alternatively, it can be a stop-off point on the route to the sights of the High Atlas Mountains such as Lalla Takerkoust lake, the river, and waterfalls of the Ourika Valley or the village of Imlil, gateway to Mount Toubkal. As well as being accessible, Tameslouht is an incredible microcosm of artisan talent and Moroccan craft heritage.

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Women Weavers, Tameslouht

The Women weavers of Tameslouht

Creation Tameslouht was founded by Sarah, a US Peace Corps Volunteer, and Mustapha, a local man, in Tameslouht in 2012. In 2013, the women weavers with whom they work formed their own association, Creation Tameslouht. They have received support and training to manage their own affairs and develop as entrepreneur-artisans. Today the association comprises around 60 local women, providing them with support to help them reach a wider market.

The women at Creation Tameslouht produce a range of woven, embroidered, and sewn items for the home, such as blankets, cushions, and other soft furnishings. They also make beautiful items to wear and accessories, such as kaftans, jellabas, scarves, and bags. They also have several connections to other associations and cooperatives of artisans, meaning they are able to offer linens embroidered in the traditional Fassi style from the Middle Atlas, Amazigh (or Berber) rugs from surrounding High Atlas villages and much more. If you can’t visit in person, their goods are for sale on Etsy.

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Moroccan Handicrafts Cushions Art Tissage Tam

Art Tissage Tam – maintaining tradition and livelihoods

Art Tissage Tam is a cooperative, also in Tameslouht, which trains local men and women weavers and embroiderers in traditional handicrafts. Created in 2009, it exists to preserve the knowledge and traditions while developing them for modern tastes and new markets. Many of the artisans have been practicing their craft from a young age.

At Art Tissage Tam, it possible to see men weaving organic cotton, linen, local wools, and vegetable silk (typically made from the prickly pear cactus) on the narrow looms. The team of around 15 men uses a number of techniques to fabricate items ranging from rugs to fabrics for soft furnishings, bags, and scarves. Handwoven rug styles range from flatweaves (in a tapestry weave style, like a kilim) often made with cotton or a cotton mix to woolen pile rugs such as the famous monochrome Beni Ouirane style to hand-knotted rag rugs, known as Boucharouite.

Women at Art Tissage Tam generally undertake embroidery, sewing, and basket weaving, with tassels and pom-poms being popular adornments to homewares. Together, the women and men of Art Tissage Tam make a range of items that are steeped in the local traditions of many centuries while also being suitable for modern homes and tastes. It is possible to purchase these items at their workshop and store in Tameslouht or via their Etsy store.

The community of artisans

Because of commitments to home and family, it is often difficult for women to commute to work outside of the home. Even for men, the costs and logistics of traveling to work in low-skilled or manual work in the over-crowded cities are often less attractive than the chance to learn or develop a skill in their own village. By working from home or in a cooperative, in a network with other artisans, local people can work in a way that suits their lifestyles while benefitting from the collective support for product design, sales, and marketing. For women, weaving and sewing together help create community and a vital support network. Together as an association or cooperative, artisans are also able to offer a broader selection of products, including through e-commerce. The ability to access markets beyond the local middlemen outside of Morocco is an essential way of honoring the traditions and time which go into producing traditional crafts. Where souk salesman may compete on price and when Moroccan shoppers often seek something functional and mass-produced at a cheap price point, the ability of artisans to convey their pride, expertise, and heritage to people willing to value them is essential for their livelihoods.

Speak to us about how to incorporate a visit to traditional artisans into your itinerary and help preserve and promote these vital elements of Morocco’s traditional heritage.

Essaouira’s 14th Annual Andalusian Music Festival

Sunday, October 29th, 2017
Essaouira Program Poster

Essaouira Program Poster

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held yearly in October for the past 14 years, this year’s Andalusia-Atlantic festival is the 14th edition and takes place from Thursday October 26th – 29th, 2017 on the Coast of Morocco.

The Atlantic Andalusia Festival highlights the Andalusian musical heritage of the Spanish-Moroccan cradle. It is the perfect fall event for all music officiados and those with a penchant for the coastal town of Essaouira.

The Andalousia-Atlantic festival is one of three of Essaouira’s most important cultural events.  The Andalousia-Atlantic festival together with the Gnaoua Festival & World Music festival along with the Printemps Musicale festival make Essaouira one of Morocco’s liveliest places to visit.

The Andalusia-Atlantic festival pays homage to the shared Arabo-Andalusian heritage of Morocco and Spain.  As a coastal town on the Atlantic that has tourists visiting year round, Essaouira historically has been known for it’s openness, the arts and for it’s fresh seafood.

Often referred to as an artist colony with a strong alize, Essaouira boasts a wide variety of music festivals and artists both Moroccan and foreign who live there year round.

The Andalusia-Atlantic festival concerts are free free with limited seating. Seminars, discussions and workshops on various cultural subjects are held and offer a stimulating and engaging atmosphere for those interested in topics related to music and culture.

 

 

14th Annual Andalusian Festival

14th Annual Andalusian Festival

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highlights of the 14th Andalusia-Atlantic festival is the 14th festival are, an opening concert featuring Abderrahim Souiri, and Rabbi Haim Louk, one of the leading icons of Judeo-Andalusian music. These two outstanding musicians will be accompanied by Mohamed Larbi Temsamani’s tetanus orchestra led by the great master Mohamed Amine El Akrami.

This series of 4-day concerts the concerts will also feature pieces of popular Moroccan repertoire, such as chaâbi, chgouri and melhoun revisited by Raymonde El Bidaouia, flamenco. Distinguished guest, Mercedes Ruiz, elected in 2015 flamenco star dancer in Spain will perform accompanied by her musicians and singers.

Another highlight of this edition is the unpublished duo of Rabbi David Menahem, a homecoming for him, and Palestinian singer Loubna Salama, who is coming to Morocco for the first time. Musicians from other regions of Eastern Europe will also be featured such as the Czech group Letajici Rabin, Yiddish, Klezmer and Gypsy music.

The Moroccan Art Scene, Post Independence Moroccan Artists

Friday, January 15th, 2016
Hassan Hajjaj, Marrakech Artist

Hassan Hajjaj, Marrakech Artist

 

 

 

 

 

The Moroccan  Contemporary Art Scene, post-independence, is much sought after and has gained popularity over the recent years given its varied mix of forward thinking and experimental painters, sculptors, fashion designers, and craftsmen. Morocco’s contemporary art scene had a boost with the opening of some significant public-funded and private galleries as well as some key exhibitions showcasing Moroccan modern art abroad. Although foreign and diaspora collectors have always been important, Nadia Echiguer, Director of UK-based art dealers, Moroccan Fine Art, explains the role of a developing economy in the promotion and sale of contemporary artwork in Morocco itself. “Before, only private and public institutions were buying artworks. The trend has changed as private Moroccan collectors are showing a keen interest in art,” thanks to a booming economy that has seen an increase in the size and the wealth of the Moroccan middle class.

Mohammed Melehi, Asiliah

Mohammed Melehi, Asiliah

 

 

 

 

 

Reflecting the increasing domestic interest in contemporary art, two large projects opened in Rabat and Marrakech. The MMVI Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art opened in Rabat, in October 2014 with an exhibition of over 400 works by more than 150 Moroccan artists, entitled “1914-2014: One hundred years of creation.” Over in Marrakech, seen by many as a more creative centre compared to Rabat, the Marrakech Museum for Photography and Visual Arts (MMP+) opened in September 2013 in temporary accommodation at the Badii Palace. A purpose-built venue designed by British architect Sir David Chipperfield is due to open in 2016, the same year as the 6th Marrakech Biennale (24 February – 8 May 2016).

Fatima Ettalbi, Essaouira Artists

Fatima Ettalbi, Essaouira Artists

 

 

 

 

 

Following Moroccan independence in 1956, many artists and intellectuals sought to claim a modern Moroccan cultural identity to banish the euro-centrism of the French colonial power or an orientalist over-emphasis on the naive or folkloric aspects of Moroccan art. At the same time, many artists could not and would not deny the influence of these more traditional arts and crafts on their work. As the swinging 60s drew on into the 1970s, despite the former colonial experience, there was much intellectual and artistic interchange between Morocco and Europe, in particular France. In addition, Moroccan artists exchanged ideas and philosophies with visiting Beat Poets (for example, in Tangiers) and international musicians and artists who passed through the country (including the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and others). Slowly, however, Moroccan artists developed an “exploratory intuition” according to Moroccan philosopher El Jabri and a “modernity” in the Moroccan artistic experience was born.

Myriam Mourabit, Casablanca Artist

Myriam Mourabit, Casablanca Artist

 

 

 

 

During the 1980s, these issues of collective identity became less evident as Moroccan artists gained the confidence to forge their own styles and open their horizons beyond questions of a Moroccan or Arab style. At the same time, they left behind occidental models and themes and began to explore their creativity as individuals. This desire to carve one’s own niche as an artist, one who happens to be Moroccan, characterized strongly the closing decades of the 20th century.

Today, at the start of the 21st century, many young Moroccan artists are experimenting with new twists on old techniques and traditions against the backdrop of greater use of modern communications technology. Key themes in this era reflect the realities of modern life for young Moroccans: immigration, globalization, urbanization and the cultural references of the past.

The Moroccan art scene has a number of key creative centers. Many artists have emerged from the large conurbations of Casablanca or Marrakech or the traditional heartland of Moroccan crafts, Fes. However, Tetouan – with its Institute of Fine Arts – and Essaouira – with its nexus of auto-didactic artists are two particular poles.

Written by Lynn Sheppard 

Lynn Sheppard has lived in Essaouira, on Morocco’s Atlantic Coast for more than 2 years, supporting local non-profits, writing and becoming an expert on all things Swiri (ie. Essaouiran). She blogs at Maroc-phile.com and for other travel industry clients.

For more information about the Moroccan Art Scene or a Morocco Art Private Tour

Morocco’s Imperial Cities, Seaside Resorts,Sahara Desert,Berber villages, A Taste of Morocco, Magical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of Marrakech, Fes, and Ouarzazate

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration
Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.  We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Moroccan Designers, Ahmed Laghrissi, Hicham El Madi and Myriam Mouabit, Morocco Tour Guide

Sunday, December 23rd, 2012

Moroccan Pottery Design, Ahmed Laghrissi

There are many Moroccan designers, artists and craftsmen breaking new ground and leading innovations in lifestyle and creativity. Moroccan Designers Ahmed Laghrissi, Hicam El Madi and Myriam Mourabit are three exceptional practioners of their art. All were born in Morocco and have been influenced by either great family artists, their environment and Moroccan visual arts and culture. When visiting Morocco on a Pottery and Zellij Tile Design tour or on your own, one can discover galleries, souks and private spaces filled with  these and many other visual artists. Morocco is a mecca of great designers ranging from Moroccan pottery to furniture to tile work, painting and lighting.

Moroccan Pottery Designer, Ahmed Laghrissi

Ahmed Laghrissi

Born in 1962 his fatherand grandfather were potters in the traditonal coastal  pottery centre of Safi  where most Moroccan pottery is still created.The son of Laghrissi Abdelkader, a renowned artist and potter, Ahmed Laghrissi  who was taught by Boujemaa Lamali a potery grandmaster in the early twentieth century.

He  inherited his father’s passion for the trade and is now himself a master-potter in Safi. His creations are inspired by Arab-Muslim art, and are highly individualistic whilst retaining their classic identity based on berber traditions such as Zaian and calligraphy. His researches blend old and new techniques and colours sometimes using enamel bequeathed by his father.

Hicham El Madi

Hicham El Madi has lived in Marrakech for a number of years , he was born in Casablanca and studied at the Institute of Appllied Arts  and worked in Paris for a software design company creating designs for may different companies including Louis Vuitton. He travelled in Pakistan,Oman, Syria, Vietnam and Tunisia. hbeganto design furniture and on moving to Marrakech he worked on   furnishing appartments and moved naturally into interior design.

He finds his inspiration in the Moroccan craft industry. He creates from materials such as wood, molten aluminum and ceramics, to create contemporary interior decorations for riads, homes, shops, and hotels,working closely with local artisans, his creations are very popular with both Moroccan and foreign clients.

Moroccan Designer, Myriam Mourabit

Myriam Mourabit

She designs hand made objets d’art, that draw on the spirit and sensitivity of her cultural heritage.Her work focuses on the sensory relationship between materials and colour  where the combination of nature and refined style are brought together in perfect harmony.

Her exclusive designer objets appear  in several shops and galleries in Morocco and abroad, her creations are stylish designs inspired by henna art and “zouak”,   with close links to the traditions of  Morocco’s craftsmen.

She  trained at the Duperré School of Applied Arts  and the National School of  Decorative Arts in Paris. She designs and develops commercial spaces and designs furniture for individuals using refined and high quality materials.

For more information about Moroccan Pottery and Zellij Tile Design Tour 

For More Information About Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara Desert,Berber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate
Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration
Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.
Written by Colin Kilkelly