Art and Identity Collide in Casablanca
In a remarkable celebration of Moroccan art, the Hassan II Mosque Foundation in Casablanca is set to host an intriguing exhibition titled "Crossed Visions: Letter and Abstraction" from November 7 to 17, 2026. The opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, starting at 5:30 PM. This collective exhibition brings together the talents of four distinguished Moroccan artists: Youssef Belmahdi, Abdelkader Kamal, Omar Gourane, and Abdelfettah Hraoui. They delve into the transformation of Arabic letters into a contemporary plastic language, probing the connections between memory, identity, signs, and pictorial material through diverse forms of abstraction.
Youssef Belmahdi, born in Meknès in 1979, explores the intricate relationships between Arabic calligraphy and geometric abstraction. In his works, letters evolve into autonomous plastic elements that not only structure the canvas but also engage in a dialogue with architectural and heritage references. Abdelkader Kamal, hailing from El Jadida and born in 1970, introduces the concept of "Calliabstraction," which intertwines Arabic letters with abstraction. A self-taught artist and recipient of the Mohammed VI Prize for Distinction in 2019, Kamal investigates the interplay of light, color, and form in his vibrant compositions.
Omar Gourane, born in Beni Mellal in 1963, focuses on the fragmentation of language and the challenges of communication in the digital age. His abstract compositions are characterized by broken black lines, extending a discourse on the erosion of meaning. Gourane's artistic practice also encompasses sculpture, particularly abstract representations of horse heads. Lastly, Abdelfettah Hraoui, a graduate of the Regional Educational Center in Casablanca since 1998, expresses calligraphic signs through painting, sculpture, and mural frescoes. His work melds civilizational heritage with contemporary aesthetics while questioning memory, identity, and environment.
This exhibition promises to be a captivating exploration of the intersection of traditional Arabic calligraphy and modern artistic expression in Morocco, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of the nation.
As reported by lebrief.ma.
