MAKING WAVES AT ALSERKAL ARTS FOUNDATION
New Waves will open on September 19 , following its postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the mood for a bit of culture? Then why not check out a new exhibition at Alserkal Arts Foundation. Presenting, New Waves: Mohamed Melehi and the Casablanca Art School Archives in Concrete, Alserkal Avenue in Dubai, will be showing from September 19 to October 10. Curated by Zamân Books and Curating, the exhibition tells the story of the radical Casablanca Art School, retracing Melehi’s career from the 1950’s to the 1980’s. Melehi is widely regarded as a major figure of postcolonial Moroccan art and of transnational modernism. Previously unseen works and archives present Melehi as a painter, photographer, muralist, graphic and urban designer, art teacher, and cultural activist.
The Dubai chapter of the exhibition presents Melehi’s documentary photography – through his travels, and activism – as well as highlights from his graphic design studio SHOOF, and the remarkable murals of the Asilah festival. It also explores Melehi’s in-depth engagement with Afro-Berber art and craft through the collection of Bert Flint, from which he drew artistic inspiration.
The travelling exhibition and the Dubai iteration marks the first time that the full period of Melehi’s works has been shown on a global stage with a researched display. In the spirit of Melehi’s impulse to free visual art from the gallery and bring painting into the public realm, the exhibition extends into The Yard in Alserkal Avenue. Students from Zayed University have painted an adapted recreation of a mural from the first Asilah Moussem Festival of the Arts in 1978 in collaboration with Jotun paints. The exhibition is open to all, with visitors able to book their visit in line with social distancing guidelines.
GO: Visit alserkalavenue.ae or call (0)4 333 3464 for more information.
