The Djemaa El Fna, Hangman’s Square, in Marrakech is the scene of daily new performances from carneys and impersonators, who fill the square with dance, chant, stories, acrobatics, magic and fortune telling. In circles, the so-called “Halqas”, the audience gathers around the performers and storytellers to experience their mastery and knowledge. The square is part of the “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”, declared by UNESCO in 2001.
The walkable, interactive sculpture - a collaboration between Thomas Ladenburger and Hannes Nehls - transforms the experience at Djemaa El Fna and makes it perceptible with the help of projections, lighting, film and acoustics. The performative shows in the square and, to a certain extend, the square itself are resurrected and reanimated through the installation. The installation will be preliminary shown in Berlin and then will move on to Paris.
The walkable, interactive sculpture - a collaboration between Thomas Ladenburger and Hannes Nehls - transforms the experience at Djemaa El Fna and makes it perceptible with the help of projections, lighting, film and acoustics. The performative shows in the square and, to a certain extend, the square itself are resurrected and reanimated through the installation. The installation will be preliminary shown in Berlin and then will move on to Paris.
Cultural wealth and diversity does not solely manifest itself in extraordinary scriptures, paintings, archaeological cities and architectural spaces, but also in much more perishable vital expressions such as music, dance, chanting and oral transmission.
Protecting and preserving these intangible forms of culture is the main concern of the UNESCO program „Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity“. In 2001 the ensemble of the square Djemaa El Fna was declared “Intangible Cultural Heritage”..
In this large bustling square the most diversified currents of vital archaic of immaterial arts come together. The square is a site in which the oral and gestural transmissions, which once were to be found all over Morocco are still sustained from their beginnings.
Protecting and preserving these intangible forms of culture is the main concern of the UNESCO program „Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity“. In 2001 the ensemble of the square Djemaa El Fna was declared “Intangible Cultural Heritage”..
In this large bustling square the most diversified currents of vital archaic of immaterial arts come together. The square is a site in which the oral and gestural transmissions, which once were to be found all over Morocco are still sustained from their beginnings.
The visitor entrances into a large dark room, in which about 200 gleaming cloth-panels are seemingly levitating. The narrow panels consist of a light fabric, which have the look of traditional Moroccan clothing, the Fokiah or Djellaba.
The panels choreographically float through the room. Sound comes from within the depth of the room - recordings from the Halqas on the Djemaa El Fna. Like the visitors the panels aim towards the source of the recordings. They wander in its direction and gather themselves into a circle of "listeners", just as if they were listening themselves.
As soon as the panels come close to the acoustic source, projections of moving imagery and the visual worlds of the Halqas from Djemaa El Fna reflect from their surface. If the visitor comes into contact with the panels, which is encouraged, they interact with the person and move aside and clear the path into the centre of the circle, the source of sound and projection.
Similar to the Djemaa El Fna Square in Marrakech, the whole installation is in constant flux - ebb and flow.
The panels choreographically float through the room. Sound comes from within the depth of the room - recordings from the Halqas on the Djemaa El Fna. Like the visitors the panels aim towards the source of the recordings. They wander in its direction and gather themselves into a circle of "listeners", just as if they were listening themselves.
As soon as the panels come close to the acoustic source, projections of moving imagery and the visual worlds of the Halqas from Djemaa El Fna reflect from their surface. If the visitor comes into contact with the panels, which is encouraged, they interact with the person and move aside and clear the path into the centre of the circle, the source of sound and projection.
Similar to the Djemaa El Fna Square in Marrakech, the whole installation is in constant flux - ebb and flow.
