Ethnographic research in Morocco: Analyzing contemporary artistic practices and visual culture

Over the last several decades numerous scholarly articles and books have been published on Moroccan art forms. Yet, these studies have consistently examined Morocco's traditional works or its older forms of artistic practices. Specifically, Morocco's ceramics objects and textiles are among the most commonly examined works. As a result of this emphasis, only a partial view of Morocco's rich artistic production has been presented. Currently, Moroccan Art is consistently viewed as static and the 19 th century western Orientalist image of Morocco has more or less remained. Visual Culture within the country and beyond its border continues to reinforce these antiquated perceptions.;To identify the range of works of art produced within Morocco, a multi-method ethnographic approach was utilized. Using information drawn from fieldwork conducted in Morocco in 2002, 2004, and 2006, contemporary artistic practices were examined and analyzed within a social and historical context. Personal narratives from my fieldwork in 2006 added layers of information to enrich my study of Moroccan art and culture. My findings revealed that Morocco's rich historical past includes a multiplicity of cultures and influences. As a result, the country's contemporary artistic production mirrors the complexity of this past and reflects its current social and political situation within the global world. Moroccan Art is not static, but diverse and fluid. By studying a range of contemporary works of art and visual culture produced within the country, perceptions about Morocco's art forms and its people will be redefined.