The Years of Culture initiative announced the Rabat, Morocco iteration of JEDARIART, a public art program that showcases the creativity of Qatari and Qatar-based artists through murals and collaborative street art.
Jedariart showcases murals by Qatari and Doha-based artists in public spaces across Qatar. For the first time this year, the Qatar Museums’ mural program collaborated with Morocco’s Jidar street art festival under the lead of the General Commissioner of Qatar Morocco 2024 year of culture in Rabat’s serene Hassan II Park as part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture. Three Qatari artists have partnered with three Moroccan artists to create joint installations under Jidar’s project “Cubist Landscape”.
“We are thrilled to continue expanding the JEDARIART program abroad through Years of Culture initiative. The collaborative mural activations between Moroccan and Qatari artists in Rabat help deepen the partnership and cultural understanding between Qatar and Morocco. The JEDARIART project in Rabat
celebrates the enduring friendship between two nations and highlights the artists who breathe life into our shared cultural heritage. As part of the Year of Culture, these activations provide a dynamic platform for building connections, promoting cultural exchange, and encouraging a greater appreciation for the importance of art in daily life,” said Dimitrije Bugarski, Public Art Specialist overseeing the program.
The Rabat edition of JEDARIART, titled “Cubic Landscapes,” consists of three art cube installations that were created collaboratively by 3 Qatari and 3 Moroccan muralists. Painting began on October 21 and was unveiled to the public on Sunday, October 27. Set in the scenic Hassan II Park, these structures merge traditional painting with contemporary street art, symbolizing the convergence of cultural and creative diversity from both nations. The cubes, serving as visual metaphors for journeys, invite viewers to experience the fusion of two distinct art traditions in one unique space.
Hassan II Park
, an expansive public space located in the heart of Rabat near the historic site of Chellah and the Bab Zaer gate, provides the perfect backdrop for this cultural exchange. Opened in November 2018, the park is a key destination for tourists and locals alike, adding to the vibrancy of the city’s artistic and cultural landscape.
Three artistic duos collaborated on the installations: Anfal Al Kandari, a Kuwaiti/Qatari visual artist exploring themes like the inner child and parallel universes, partnered with contemporary Moroccan artist Marmouche Hamza.
Sharefa Al Mannai, a multidisciplinary artist known for mixing surrealism and collage art, teamed up with Moroccan muralist Fatima Ezzahra Khilad, whose work delves into the concept of memory and its lasting impact on the present.
Another pairing includes Sheikh Mubarak bin Nasser Al-Thani, who collaborated with Moroccan graphic designer and illustrator Aicha Abouhaj, who is passionate about exploring her Amazigh heritage and identity.
“This project seeks to i
nvite people on a visual journey that celebrates cultural diversity, urban identity, and the bonds that unite different places,” added Bugarski. “The cubes represent more than just art they symbolize how creativity connects and transforms communities. Positioned in the heart of Rabat, they invite everyone to explore the interplay of cultures, styles, and boundless imagination.” JEDARIART, first launched by the Public Art Department of Qatar Museums in 2020 under the patronage of its Chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, brings art into the public sphere, encouraging reflection on cultural, social, and historical themes. From the Corniche to Souq Waqif, Hamad International Airport, and even the Qatari desert with installations like Richard Serra’s monumental sculpture East-West/West-East, the program creates unexpected encounters with art.
The JEDARIART Cubic Landscapes installations will remain in Hassan II Park through the end of 2024, with plans for a public exhibition thereaf
ter.
Source: Qatar News Agency