‘Arts and Theatre Encounter in Chefchauen’ : an encounter between Morocco and Europe in theatre, music, and the visual arts, with most pieces and projects focusing on creating and performing in public spaces. The festival takes place in the city of Chefchauen, north of Morocco, surrounded by mountains on the edge of the Er Rif. This year 2004 it was organized by Ceiba (spanish arts and Culture Association) and Appinumm (Theatre Company and Association based in Chefchauen). www.festival-chauen.com

[tendu ~] :

The project was presented in two parts : a photographic series resulting from an encounter with a group of women of Chefchauen and an installation in a public space.

> The photographic series was based on a project that was started in London beginning of July 2004 :
Several women are asked to present the thing she values most, to single something out which means a lot to her. The appointed/ chosen thing is consciously valued, but decided upon spontaniously in the given situation.
Still photographs are taken of each individuals’ hands holding the treasured. The photographs become a document as well as formulating a choice and a value that is personal to each women, with a focus on the holding hands.

In Chefchauen this photographic series was continued at an encounter with a group of Chefchauni women of all ages and at a visit to a mountain village. The combination of photographs, taken in london (women of various nationalities), and those taken in Chefchauen where shown in a public square and formed one part of the project.

> A red trail suspended between houses following through narrow streets of the city which culminated in a patchwork made of women’s scarfs. In contrast to the intimate and personal photographic encounters with the women, the Installation became an image, an intervention in a publlic space of several streets and a small square, an invasion of colour within the dominating blue and white of Chefchauen.

Thank you to Fatima for her personal help and Saida Alhorra (Free Women), ZONTA (Womens Association based in Madrid) for their kind financial support as well as the organisational team in Chefchauen : Association Ceiba and Appinumm.

 

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