Contexts for creation: the visual arts
The Cervantes Institute in Rabat is hosting this seminar (November, 25th)
November 20, 2014
RABAT
In a globalized world experiencing crisis, in a world in which it seems as if the limits of art have melted away, the seminar “Contexts for creation: the visual arts. Morocco-Spain, a common space” offers the chance to reflect upon certain central topics in today’s art, which invite us to create new spaces for thought: Is it even possible today to define what is and what is not art? Are there so many different ways to look at things that it becomes impossible to see a clear view without getting lost in such an infinitely broad space?
On the basis of this framework, prestigious critics, artists and professionals from both shores will be debating over the most cutting-edge topics, proposing a format with one-on-one conversations.
The event, which will be taking place at the Cervantes Institute in Rabat, has been organized by the Moroccan-Spanish Circle of Friendship and Casa Árabe, with the cooperation of the Embassy of Spain in Rabat, the Institute of Spanish-Portuguese Studies, the Legacy of Al-Andalus and the Cervantes Institute in Rabat.
10:00-10:30 a.m. Opening event
- Words by Ms. Aziza Bennani, President of the Moroccan-Spanish Circle of Friendship
- Words by Eduardo López Busquets, General Director of Casa Árabe.
- Words by H.E. Mr. José de Carvajal Salido, Ambassador of Spain in Rabat and an honorific member of the Moroccan-Spanish Circle of Friendship
- Words by H.E. Mr. Driss Dahak, Secretary General of the Government and founding member of the Moroccan-Spanish Circle of Friendship (attendance to be confirmed)
- Words by H.E. Mr. Ahmed Sbihi, Minister of Culture (attendance to be confirmed)
- Words by Ms. Lamia Radi, Director of Cultural and Scientific Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and member of the Moroccan-Spanish Circle of Friendship
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Panel 1: Perceptions about current art.
What way is today’s artistic creation headed? What are the reflections that concern artists today? Are dialogue and mutual knowledge of other cultural geographies a common concern among contemporary artists? How can that dialogue be structured and made visible? Does a common space exist between Spanish and Moroccan artists? How is it articulated?
Moderated by: The event is presented by Nuria Medina (Casa Árabe’s Coordinator of Cultural Programs).
Panelists: Farid Zahi (art critic), Santiago-Bruno Olmo García (art critic and exhibition curator), Rachid Benlabbah (researcher)
4:00-5:30 p.m. Panel 2: Crossing glances in today’s art.
There are frequent seminars today on art and artistic creation in which the specific topic of women’s viewpoints is discussed. However, there are few about what would seem to be a natural reflection of this: men’s viewpoints. Is it also possible to construct an artistic discourse on the basis of what it means to be masculine in today’s art, and how is this articulated? And, if so, what would the approaches to this topic be like, from two cultural spaces, such as Morocco and Spain?
Moderated by: Bouchta El Hayani (artist)
Panelists: Marina Rodríguez Vargas (artist), Safaa Erruas (artist), Miguel Cereceda Sánchez (art theorist and critic).
5:30-5:45 p.m. Break
5:45-6:45 p.m. Panel 3. Spaces for dialogue: 15 years of the MED-OCC as an example of artistic and intellectual cooperation.
The experience of the Cultural Association of the Western Mediterranean (MED-OCC) is an excellent example of dialogue and cooperation between both countries.
Moderated by: Fatiha Benlabbah (Director of the Institute of Spanish-Portuguese Studies and Secretary General of the Circle)
Panelists: Diego Fernández de Moya (artist and exhibition curator), Zara Fernández de Moya (project coordinator and manager of communications for the MED-OCC Association), Abdelkrim Ouazzani (artist)
7:00 p.m. Closing
