Chemistry Of History

«Tea Time: Chemistry of History» is an art project that combines installation and imagery, exploring the intersection of personal and collective memories. It delves into the unresolved aspects of Morocco’s history, haunting the present. The project aims to revive discussions on power and identity by going beyond official archives and giving voice to silent witnesses.

The centerpiece of the project is a lead sculpture, inspired by a monumental structure erected by the French protectorate in Casablanca during the 1920s. This original monument celebrated the participation of Moroccan soldiers in World War I under the French army’s banner. However, after Morocco gained independence, the statue was relocated to France due to restrictions on installing statues in public spaces, according to the Maliki school of thought.

«Tea Time: Chemistry of History» challenges this restriction by symbolically bringing the statue back to Morocco. Through its artistic tools and political objectives, the project interrogates the aesthetics of urbanization in Morocco and the ongoing tensions and ambiguities of the post-colonial era.

The artwork’s title is derived from a personal experience—a tea sitting with the artist’s grandfather to delve into the past. Their conversation raises thought-provoking questions about the transformation of civilizations and the construction of historical narratives by the victors.

The project represents a dialogue between historiography and the deconstruction of official narratives using artistic strategies and tools. It reimagines and repurposes national imagery and traditional materials to create a contemporary artwork with a unique aesthetic discourse and visual production. By examining the complex relationship between power, identity, and history, «Tea Time: Chemistry of History» aims to challenge established narratives, offer fresh perspectives on the past, and explore the artistic potential of reinterpreting and recontextualizing historical symbols.