Instrument dynamique et innovant de valorisation du patrimoine, offrant aux utilisateurs une expérience immersive ainsi que la possibilité de devenir contributeurs. Il s’agit d’un concept de parcours interactif qui stimule l’esprit communautaire.
A drop from the heaven – قطرة من السماء / Narrative, sonic and cartographic performance by the participants of the Dar Bellarj workshop ‘Mapping sonore’ led by Abdellah M. Hassak.
As a restitution of the first stages of the workshop on urban sound mapping developed by Abdellah M. Hassak in the context of the Ateliers Creatifs of Dar Bellarj at the intersection with QANAT, A drop from heaven, is a performative narration and cartography led by the group of young participants presenting the researches and sonic mappings each develops as a new fictional cartography of intimacy, water and its scapes in the city of Marrakech. The work invests the territories of fiction, explores processes of memory collection and geographical imaginary, exploiting the sonic cartography of the medina as a way to both give visibility to the (young) city’s inhabitants and to lead the listener to a intime and collective sonic immersive journey.
قطرة من السما
ورشة رسم الخرائط الصوتية التي طورها في دار بلارج ، عبد الله حساك ، بمساعدة أمين لحرش في اطار الورشات المنظمة هذه السنة تحت عنوان (الذاكرة والماء)
(قطرة من السما) عبارة عن خريطة صوتية سردية في طور الانجاز ، يشتغل عليها مجموعة من المشاركين شباب المدينة الذين يقدمون أبحاثًا ورسومات لخرائط صوتية صممها الجميع باعتبارها رسمًا خياليًا جديدًا للخريطة الصوتية للمياه وخصوصية مناظره الطبيعية في مدينة مراكش.
الورشة تنظم في اطار فعاليات برنامج (قناة) المنظم من طرف Le 18
نسعد بحضورك يم السبت على الساعة السادسة في Le 18 درب الفران رياض لعررس
A drop from heaven ‘قطرة من السما‘ is a project that resulted from the initial stages of the workshop on urban sound mapping developed by artist Abdellah M. Hassak in the context of the Ateliers Creatifs of Dar Bellarj at the intersection with QANAT. The project represents a performative narration and cartography led by a group of young participants who present their research and sonic mappings as a new fictional cartography of intimacy, water, and its scapes in the city of Marrakech.
The project seeks to explore the territories of fiction and to investigate the processes of memory collection and geographical imaginary by exploiting the sonic cartography of the medina as a way to give visibility to the (young) city’s inhabitants and to lead the listener on an intimate and collective sonic immersive journey. Through this project, the artist aims to encourage young people to participate in the creation and mapping of their own city and to share their own perspectives on their urban environment.
The project is a dynamic and innovative instrument for valuing heritage and preserving the stories, sounds, and songs of ordinary people, city streets, and nature. It provides an opportunity for participants and listeners alike to engage with the city and its inhabitants in a more intimate and immersive way, while also contributing to the creation of a collective memory of the city. Overall, A drop from heaven is a unique and thought-provoking project that encourages reflection on the importance of preserving and valuing our urban environments and the stories that they hold.
The Cities and Memory – Sound Mapping explores the rich and diverse relationship between water, culture, and community in Morocco, The sounds explores the rich and multifaceted intersection of water, culture, and community in Morocco, offering a compelling avenue for artistic and academic exploration. The author utilizes artistic and curatorial terminology to highlight the various practices and rituals related to water in Moroccan culture.
Goutte, d’un langage de l’eau! / قطرة ، لغة من الماء!
Moussa Moul Lma / موسى مول الماء
Upon encountering this mellifluous cadence, I found myself inspired by the poetic, melodic, ceremonial, and remedial customs of the Gnaouas and Moroccan Sufi brotherhoods, where water and the celestial realm, embodied by the azure hue, hold a profound significance. These traditions are steeped in a tapestry of ritual practices, including the ceremonial circumambulation around the sacred shrines of revered saints like Moul LMA, accompanied by the reverential chant, « The heavens and the sanctified waters of Moussa, my Creator, my Sovereign, O Moussa, custodian of the aqueous essence. »
LALA Menara – Bénédiction d’une source, d’un puits, et d’une fontaine. / نعمة من منبع، بئر ونافورة
Un puits s’ouvre, un mur se construit! / بئر يفتح ، جدار يبنى!
During our journey, we encountered a woman who eloquently expounded upon the profound connection between the inaugural well, likely fashioned from a rudimentary cavity, and the initial mound of earth excavated from this wellspring, which then became instrumental in the collaborative construction of the family’s inaugural dwelling.
En contact avec l’eau / في اتصال مع الماء
En contact avec l’eau is a remarkable piece that serves as a restitution of the initial stages of the urban sound mapping workshop led by Abdellah M Hassak in the context of the Ateliers Creatifs of Dar Bellarj at the intersection with QANAT ‘March 2019’. A performative narration and cartography, A drop from heaven, presents the research and sonic mappings developed by young participants as a new fictional cartography of intimacy, water, and its scapes in the city of Marrakech. This work delves into the territories of fiction, processes of memory collection, and geographical imaginary, utilizing the sonic cartography of the medina to give visibility to the (young) city’s inhabitants and to take the listener on an intimate and collective sonic immersive journey.
Water is an enchanting medium that possesses superior transmission characteristics for acoustic waves in comparison to air. In collaboration with Amine Lahrach, the team conducted a small experiment in the Medina of Marrakech using a metal box filled with water, to which two acoustic microphones were connected. The objective was to capture the acoustic soundscapes of this experience, to offer a participatory listening experience and inspire the audience to imagine and develop a sense of agency and belonging, which is indispensable for political and aesthetic imaginations.
The piece aspires to amplify the senses that are conventionally marginalized or not audible due to the lack of natural ability among humans, producing new sensory experiences and expanding our comprehension of ourselves and the world around us. The sound piece approach is based on a desire to shift focus from capturing individual or micro-group experiences to active listening, which fosters a deeper understanding of the world around us and encourages new ways of contemplating political and aesthetic issues by promoting empathy, critical thinking, and creativity.
En contact avec l’eau is a thought-provoking sound-piece that explores the intersection of sound, environment, and human experience. It urges us to reflect differently on our relationship with water and the world around us, highlighting the significance of active listening, empathy, and creativity in developing a deeper comprehension of our environment. The piece’s artistic and curatorial approach curates a participatory listening experience that connects individuals with their surroundings and with each other, offering a fresh perspective on the role that sound plays in shaping our perception of the world.
L’eau et la collectivité à travers l’histoire de Dar dbagh / الماء والجماعية من خلال دار الدباغة
Dar Dbagh stands as a poignant exemplar of how communities can autonomously oversee their water resources. Nevertheless, as time has elapsed, the expenses associated with water management have considerably escalated, shifting from a collective effort towards growing dependence on external influences. Nevertheless, the Dar Dbagh model endures as a vital testament to indigenous water management practices within the region.
L’eau et la Fête / الماء والحفل
Water, often hailed as the progenitor of life itself, emerges as a ubiquitous symbol transcending the boundaries of diverse cultures and religious traditions. Within the rich tapestry of Moroccan culture and its vibrant festivals, water stands as a potent emblem, symbolizing both purification and the unbroken continuum of existence. Delving into the pervasive role of water throughout Moroccan festivities promises to be an enthralling avenue for future research, even though, as of now, we have yet to unearth an abundance of materials addressing this intriguing subject.
Un mariage en honneur de pluie / زواج على شرف المطر
Throughout Moroccan history, water has borne a profound significance in the context of weddings, especially during periods of drought. Couples would come together in matrimony as a gesture of reverence to the heavens, underscoring the vital role of water in the sustenance of life and the bestowal of abundance.
Les Gnaouas, l’eau et la thérapie! / غناوة، الماء والعلاج!
Celui qui y meurt est mort, mais l’eau ne mort pas! / من مات مات، لكن الماء لا يموت!
Note sur une fontaine / ملاحظة على نافورة
I extend to you a heartfelt invitation to embark on a multisensory journey, one that immerses you in the resounding symphony of Marrakech’s winding alleys, the humming engines of motorcycles, and the vibrant tapestry of its people. Together, we’ll unravel the tales of the Medina’s ancient sources and water fountains, adding a poetic note to the city’s captivating narrative.
La dernière résistante de la médina! / آخر مقاومة للمدينة!
As the water fountains of the Medina dwindle in number, we are compelled to reflect upon their significance as stalwart guardians of the cultural heritage enshrined within this historic city.
Le dernier verre d’eau ! / آخر كأس من الماء!
Le son de la dernière fontaine de la médina! / صوت آخر نافورة للمدينة!
Moussa Moul Lma / موسى مول لما
Moussa Moul Lma, the esteemed patron saint of water, holds a pivotal role in Moroccan culture and folklore, exerting a profound influence that resonates through various facets of artistic expression and storytelling. His significance is encapsulated in the vibrant tapestry of Moroccan traditions, where his legacy continues to inspire and shape the narratives that celebrate the life-sustaining power of water.
Statement
Hello, everyone. in 2019, I had the privilege of participating in the QANAT program’s inaugural edition, which focused on the policies and poetics of water in Morocco, with a specific focus on Marrakech. During that first QANAT session in 2017, I worked on a project called « A Piece of Water. » This endeavor was a unique blend of performance and art installation, designed to challenge audiences by exploring the possibilities of auditory experiences and the human impact on the environment. « A Piece of Water » aimed to transport listeners to a world of imagination and contemplation concerning water and the environment. It did so through a simple yet powerful gesture: the act of chiseling a piece of ice, prompting it to crumble as a result.
Fast forward to today, during the program’s third session, I return with a project that builds upon my previous work, but this time with a focus on the physical territory and the inhabitants of several neighborhoods in the Medina, with water as a central theme.Today, I’m excited to present alongside fellow collaborators, including Amine Lahrach, Mohammed Reda Nahlaoui, Sabah Filali, Siham Moutaouakil, and Hiba Ilbouti. Together, we’ve been working on sound mapping, which is the initial phase of an ongoing research project. This endeavor, originally initiated by me, has now evolved into a collaborative workshop co-organized with Dar Bellarj.Each of my colleagues will delve into the research areas they are actively exploring. My initial concept revolved around the intersection of territories and fictions, a blend of real and imagined spaces, with a particular focus on memory collection and the (re)creation of geographic imaginaries. Our approach involves sound mapping of the Medina, merging everyday sounds with computer-based sound transformations.This workshop is the genesis of a participatory project, encompassing artistic research, collection, and archiving. We are using a sound mapping application, which we intend to make available to those interested in contributing to micro-projects aligned with this concept.For this first stage, we’ve partnered with Dar Balarj to conduct a series of workshops involving young participants to foster a culture of collection. During this presentation, I’ll provide an overview of the key themes we aim to explore in greater depth over the coming months. This moment is an auditory invitation to join us in contemplating water, memory, and the city’s future, engaging in a collective and immersive listening experience.Our collaboration endeavors to craft a narrative act that grants contemporary practices their rightful place in the annals of society. This act challenges the boundaries of « speculative narrative performance » and engages with the questions of memory. It places the listener within a trans-narrative, immersive mechanism, embarking on an inner, intimate, or collective auditory journey to expand the socio-discursive analytical landscape.
⭕ Abdellah M. Hassak / Mahattat Radio
www.mahattatradio.net
www.hassak.net
_______
⭕ QANAT: ON COMMON[ING] VISIONS
In March 2019, LE 18 presents a new iteration of QANAT. As a long-term trans-disciplinary project exploring the politics and poetics of water as a way to critically investigate and invest the space of the commons …
⭕ Qanat – 18, derb el ferrane
www.le18marrakech.com/tag/qanat
Abdellah M. Hassak 