Dar Slimane is an eco-agricultural market garden located 14 kilometre from Marrakech on the Quarazate road close to Sid Abdallah Ghiat. Undergoing transformational water irrigation development whilst I was resident, clearing of olives preparation of land and planting for vegetable growing to service a new restaurant and bakery in Marrakech, the site was placed for total immersion in captivating light conditions of November and December. Surrounded by arid conditions and dusty open spaces, little naturally grows away from water supplies and the concept of oasis becomes reality as at the junction with the main road was a main water supply for local residents, always present filling tanks and bottles.
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With sketchbook and Canson A3 pad I was able to spend several days making acrylic paintings, pastels and watercolours. I chose the terrace as a base for portable studio and set about developing a series of very spontaneousness works exploring simplest of method, because of the very dry conditions and the way paint dried so quickly. I have never worked in such conditions and was fortunate to be able to work from morning to evening on several days so the changing light added dimension to the way work was made. Using a variety of acrylic paints, work progressed in response to the place. Observing wind, light, sound; sound of the palms and sound of gardeners pruning olives and planting, testing water supply, a close attachment with the place was formed.
I found a bicycle on site and serviced ready for use so made many trips to Chwiter for supplies and a very good coffee. People always friendly, then back to set up the portable makeshift studio. This daily process continued to the end; I found the light captivating (and returned to Morocco in January, further south to experience more). However, during this time, tours of the country plus the Tableaux project (see previous and next post) would also take place.
This sparse and instantaneous paint drawing demonstrates the not easy way to apply paint yet using the material in challenging conditions is part of the image construct.
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Private Collection
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New permaculture irrigation and planting of seedlings transforming the site on a daily basis. The water irrigation system is eco friendly and self sustaining in the arid conditions of the surrounds.
Context: Tanast
Tazarin oasis as identified by artist Othmane Ouallai in project Tanast ( water clock, symbol of water and water related cultural practices ) refers to an oasis close to Bani mountains in south east Morocco, under threat by modern capitalist venture also once site of a battle and resistance against French colonisers. Tanast draws on the conceptual meaning of the water clock to symbolise the social system of harmonious life around the oasis.
Linked to this on the right, an historical photograph of a water merchant from circa 1880 in MACMA. The merchants seemed to have carried large amounts of water on their backs without animals .. (artwork seen at C[a]rita : The Palmgrowers Yet Alive expo and photo at Musee Photographie Morocco Marrakech)
And onto the agricultural project here at Dar Slimane I am observing, with last weekends extensive planting at the same time as installation of the permaculture water system (top two photos).
Tanast, ‘the guardian of water and water related cultural practice and irrigation customs’.
Initial sketchbook studies sought to assimilate surrou8ndings and with recognisable forms, these access the location features as a tributary to revealing character of place.
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