Morocco's Groundbreaking Participation at the Venice Biennale
In a groundbreaking move, Morocco will debut its first-ever national pavilion at the prestigious Venice Biennale in 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country's cultural representation on the international art stage. Located in the historic Arsenale, the Moroccan pavilion will feature a captivating immersive installation titled Asǝṭṭa, created by the renowned multidisciplinary artist Amina Agueznay, with curatorial oversight by Meriem Berrada. This event is scheduled to run from May 9 until November 22, 2026, and aligns with the Biennale's thematic focus of “In Minor Tones,” selected by Koyo Kouoh, which invites reflections on silent narratives, oral histories, and enduring artisanal practices.
A Fusion of Tradition and Contemporary Art
The title Asǝṭṭa, derived from the Amazigh language and symbolizing the ritual act of weaving, serves as a powerful metaphor for unity, transmission, and continuity. This installation is uniquely tailored to occupy 300 square meters of the Arsenale, designed to evoke a 'second skin' that intertwines materials, textures, and ancestral gestures with contemporary artistic language. Amina Agueznay, an architect by training, has spent over two decades cultivating an artistic practice deeply rooted in Moroccan vernacular craftsmanship. Her previous works, such as Skin, Curriculum Vitae, Aouinates, and Fieldworks, reflect her ongoing exploration of the connections among body, territory, landscape, and collective memory, always with meticulous attention to traditional materials and techniques.
To bring Asǝṭṭa to life, Agueznay collaborated with over 130 artisans from various regions in Morocco, including weavers, embroiderers, beadworkers, basket makers, jewelers, and apprentices, all of whom played a vital role in the creative process. This collaboration transcends mere participation; it celebrates craftsmanship as a living philosophy passed down through generations. The installation is centered around the concept of âatba—the threshold—conceived as a transitional space between the interior and exterior, the intimate and the collective, the sacred and the mundane. Through braids, knots, stitches, and suspended structures, the artwork transforms each manual gesture into a trace of memory and belonging.
Rather than presenting a folkloric view of tradition, Asǝṭṭa offers a vibrant archaeology of crafts, illuminating often-overlooked talents while placing artisanal knowledge at the heart of contemporary creation. The Moroccan pavilion aims to be an immersive space where visitors engage not just as observers of art but as participants in a journey woven from voices, rhythms, and collective memories.
As reported by bonart.cat.
