Marrakech’s Art Scene Comes Alive with 1-54 Night Openings

Behind every door in Gueliz tonight, a new story in contemporary art is waiting to unfold.

Fez – As 1-54 Marrakech kicks off, the city’s cultural scene is in full swing.

This year, as tradition dictates, galleries across Marrakech are hosting a special night of exhibitions on the fair’s opening day.

From 6 pm to 9 pm, Gueliz, the city’s contemporary art hub, will buzz with 14 exhibitions showcasing diverse artistic expressions.

Here is all you need to know about the galleries and their exhibitions for this year.

The Comptoir des Mines

The Comptoir des Mines is presenting two exhibitions.

Mohamed Arejdal explores nomadic culture through textile-based works, while a newly curated display revisits Mohamed Kacimi’s pieces from 1994-2003, reflecting his artistic journey across Africa.

Address: 62 Rue Yougoslavie, Angle Rue Liberte, Gueliz

Loft Art Gallery

Photographer Mous Lamrabat from Loft Art Gallery, brings his signature blend of humor and nostalgia, confronting tradition and modernity in a visually striking exhibition.

Address: 60 Bd El Mansour Eddahbi, Gueliz

Imprimerie Regionale 1945

The architectural history of Guéliz is the focal point of “Gueliz Manifesto”, a photography exhibition by Fayçal Tiaïa, shedding light on urban heritage and the challenges of gentrification.

Address: 68 Bd Mansour Eddahbi, Gueliz

Malhoun Art Space

At Espace Malhoun, Egyptian-Lebanese artist Lara Baladi presents “E + ducere, To Lead or To Draw Out”, an exhibition that explores the fine line between education and indoctrination.

This multimedia project, created in collaboration with Fenduq’s artisans, features an intricate wooden, copper, and leather sculpture.

Address: 175 Rue Mohammed El Beqqal, Gueliz

Abla Ababou Gallery

Abla Ababou Gallery stays true to its mission of supporting emerging talent, exhibiting works by Mohammed Arrhioui, Sabrine Lahrach, and Hiba Baddou under the name of “Bab Hotel”.

Address: Angle Bd Mansour Eddahbi & Rue Mohamed El Beqal, Gueliz

Matisse Art Gallery

The drawings of Malek Sordo from Matisse Art Gallery, exploring identity and memory, are showcased alongside the paintings of his uncle Abdelouahed Sordo.

Address: 61 Rue Yougoslavie, Passage Ghandouri, Gueliz

Macma Gallery

Nature takes on a symbolic role in an exhibition by Macma Gallery featuring works centered on botanical motifs, using red as a warning signal for ecological crises.

Address: 61 Rue Yougoslavie, Passage Ghandouri, Gueliz

Gallery Noir sur Blanc

Photographer and designer Abdelghafour Benbadryef from Noir sur Blanc Gallery presents an exhibition where the star, symbolizing light and universality, appears as a recurring motif.

Address: 48 Rue Yougoslavie, Adam Plaza, 1st Floor, Gueliz

Gallery 127

Gallery 127, also known as Nathalie Locatelli’s gallery, returns to its former space for 1-54, featuring Anne-Lise Broyer, winner of the 2024 Niépce Prize, who captures Mediterranean life through poetic imagery.

Address: 127 Avenue Mohammed V, Gueliz

Gallery Siniya 28

Artist Rita Alaoui from Gallery Siniya 28, presents serene landscape paintings alongside paper-based works infused with henna pigments, celebrating nature’s renewal.

Address: 8 Rue Tarik Ibn Ziad, Gueliz

L’Blassa Art Space

Gaming culture meets contemporary art in “Billard”, by L’Blassa Art Space : agroup show featuring artists such as Amine Habti, Kamil Hajji, Mohamed Smyej, Nabil Boudarqa, and Tunisian illustrator Nyzar Trabxlsi.

Address: 8 Rue Tariq Bnou Ziad, Gueliz

La Galerie 38

At Galerie 38, two exhibitions offer a poetic escape from global turmoil. The first, centered on enchantment, gathers leading African contemporary artists such as Soly Cissé, Abdoulaye Konate, Barthelemy Toguo, and Dominique Zinkpe.

The second presents a dialogue between Kendell Geers and Mohamed Hamidi, where Hamidi’s birds, symbols of freedom, contrast with Geers’ floral motifs, representing resistance.

Address: 64-68 Rue Tarik Ibn Ziad, Gueliz

Residence El Hamra

An ephemeral art space in a historic Marrakech location hosts 16 Moroccan diaspora artists, tackling themes of identity and post-colonial narratives through photography, video, and digital art.

Address: 26 Avenue Mohammed V, Gueliz

Galerie Tindouf

Painter Ilias Selfati from Tindouf Gallery unveils a vibrant world of organic and animal forms in his latest exhibition.

Address: 22 Bd Mohammed VI, Gueliz

With such a rich lineup, Guéliz promises to be the epicenter of contemporary art in Marrakech, offering a night of artistic exploration that sets the tone for this year’s 1-54 fair.