Tizintizwa Collective's Remedies for Monotony exhibition explores agricultural and cultural homogenization in Morocco
As part of their Against Monoculture initiative, the Tizintizwa Collective showcased Remedies for Monotony at Villa Delaporte in Casablanca, Morocco. Nadir Bouhmouch, a member of the collective, highlighted that research conducted in the Atlas Mountains revealed apple monocultures supplanting a variety of crops and the decline of traditional art forms. The project emphasizes the experiences of wage workers in orchards, employing James C. Scott's concept of "hidden transcripts" to delve into their cultural narratives. The collective, which now includes Oumaima Abaraghe, Montasser Drissi, and Houda Jouaij, features a diverse array of mediums such as photography, film, and textiles. A prior version was exhibited at the São Paulo Biennial, with public events in Darija focusing on the protection of Tamazight and Darija from cultural homogenization.
Key facts
- Tizintizwa Collective presented Remedies for Monotony exhibition at Villa Delaporte in Casablanca
- The exhibition examines connections between agricultural monocultures and cultural homogenization
- Research involved fieldwork in Morocco's Atlas Mountains documenting apple monocultures replacing diverse crops
- The collective expanded from founders Nadir Bouhmouch and Soumeya Ait Ahmed to include Oumaima Abaraghe, Montasser Drissi, and Houda Jouaij
- Previous iteration of Against Monoculture project was shown at São Paulo Biennial in Brazil
- Collective created permanent exhibition in Ait Omghar village café where day laborers gather
- Public programming included musical performances, screenings, and lectures conducted entirely in Darija
- The collective uses James C Scott's "hidden transcripts" concept to understand workers' cultural expressions
Entities
Artists
- Nadir Bouhmouch
- Soumeya Ait Ahmed
- Oumaima Abaraghe
- Montasser Drissi
- Houda Jouaij
- Abdelhamid Belahmidi
- James C Scott
Institutions
- Tizintizwa Collective
- Villa Delaporte
- São Paulo Biennial
- Canvas
Locations
- Casablanca
- Morocco
- Atlas Mountains
- Brazil
- São Paulo
- Ait Omghar
- Marrakech
- Tangier