MACAAL Re-Opens its Doors in Marrakech To A Newly Remodeled Experience

With new permanent exhibitions and innovative installations, the art museum is solidifying its role as a key destination in Morocco for contemporary African art.

Fez– Museum of Contemporary African Art Al Maaden (MACAAL) in Marrakech has officially reopened today, on February 2, after extensive renovations funded by the Alliances Foundation.

With new permanent exhibitions and innovative installations, MACAAL aims to be a key destination for contemporary African art.

After several months of renovation, the museum is relaunching with a fresh vision. Led by the Alliances Foundation, this major project features an exceptional collection of artworks that redefine the museum experience.

The permanent exhibition, “Seven Contours, One Collection,” displays over 150 works selected from a collection of more than 2,000 pieces gathered over the years by the Lazraq family.

This collection, a major reference in contemporary African art, includes iconic works by artists such as Hassan Hajjaj, Abdoulaye Konaté, Malick Sidibé, Mohamed Melehi, and Chéri Samba.

MACAAL’s artistic director, Meriem Berrada, explained to Le360 the vision behind the exhibition: “We wanted to bring artists’ projects to life by organizing them around seven strong themes. The goal was to offer a new way to understand these works in a permanent setting after years of temporary exhibitions.”

The pieces encompass key themes in African contemporary art, including decolonization, globalization, and environmental issues.

Exhibition curator Morad Montazami, from Zamane Books and Curating, also talked about the concept. “The aim was to connect different African histories and create a shared language,” he said to Le360.

“We selected seven action-oriented verbs; such as decolonize, transcribe, initiate, and weave, to encourage dialogue between artists and visitors. This non-linear approach offers an immersive and dynamic experience, moving away from a traditional chronological layout,” Montazami added.

Beyond the exhibition, the museum has redesigned its spaces. It now includes a new media library, a “Timeline Room” tracing the history of African art, and an “Artist Room” for temporary exhibitions, inaugurated by artist Sara Ouhaddou.

The museum’s architecture has also been enhanced with monumental installations designed by Salima Naji and Aïcha Snoussi, as well as a new cafe, a terrace, and various green spaces.

Beninese interior designer Franck Houndegla, who created the exhibition’s scenography, touched upon the uniqueness of the project to Le360.

“MACAAL is not like other museums. It showcases art from all corners of Africa: North, South, East, and West, offering an incredibly rich collection,” he said. “This project in Marrakech enables artistic possibilities that might not be achievable elsewhere.”

The reopening of MACAAL marks a significant moment for contemporary African art. It challenges traditional museum narratives, offering a platform for African artists to share their voices and perspectives with the world.