To coincide with the opening of L’Atelier de l’Observatoire’s exhibition, Collective Museum – Citizen Project for a Museum of Collective Memory, Collective have invited three guests to discuss ideas of collective memory. In their ongoing research and activism, all our speakers are interested in who gets to tell the story of their city, who is left out of the dominant narratives, and how voice can be given to those left un-represented. The panel will reflect on what a Collective Museum could look like, and what the conditions would be to produce it.
Mohamed Fariji, Artist, L’Atelier de l’Observatoire
Mohamed Fariji is a co-founder of L’Atelier de l’Observatoire in Casablanca, Morrocco - a space for art and research developing participative and socially engaged projects involving artists, researchers and the general public. Mohamed’s works are often based on processes of research borrowing from architecture, history, sociology, science and politics, and involving researchers and citizens, decision-makers and institutions. Collective Museum builds on Mohamed’s previous project, The Imaginary Aquarium, which attempted to reactivate the former Casablanca aquarium by working with participants to create a collective memory of site. This approach offers an alternative way of writing history, with a focus on individual and group stories.
Thulani Rachia, Artist
Thulani Rachia's practice integrates the fields of architecture, performing and visual arts. Growing up in South Africa and training in architecture, his practice-as-research methodology investigates his interests in site and history and how these come together in the formation of identity, culture and memory.
Mike Small, Writer and Citizen Network
Mike Small is a writer and publisher. He specialises in generalism and is currently writing the biography of Patrick Geddes. He is also part of the Citizen network which aims to reclaim the city from development, overtourism and commodification.