Art Gallery

Open Air Art Gallery Colours the Streets of Morocco’s Capital

On the morning of October 27th, 2022, the streets of Rabat’s old town in Morocco were transformed into an open-air art gallery. The gallery, named GAL’RUE, was open for 10 days and featured the work of local artists, ranging from portraits to abstract art. Not only did the gallery colour the capital’s streets and alleyways; it also encouraged many new visitors to explore the city.

The Idea Behind GAL’RUE

The GAL’RUE project began in 2021 after the easing of Covid restrictions. It was founded upon the desire to display artwork in a public setting instead of solely in special locations, such as galleries and other exhibition spaces. “Here the paintings [were] outside and available to everyone. Children, the elderly, everyone [could] access painting,” says Jamal Ouadi, director of the GAL’RUE exhibition. The goal of this public display was to welcome passers-by to stop and enjoy the art. 

Tradition and Modernity Collide

The beauty and charm of the old town can be attributed to its traditional architecture and historical structures. In contrast to the modern artwork, the architecture of Rabat’s old town is ancestral and discrete. Both styles are beautiful in their own way and their contrast brings out their respective unique qualities. According to Célia Shouznou, a French student who took part in the GAL’RUE exhibition, the co-existence of the two styles within Rabat was a rare sight. The art took on a new meaning when hung upon Rabat’s ancestral walls, showcasing the contrast between modernity and tradition within Morocco.

This was the first open air gallery to be held within the capital’s streets. It was a major event for local artists whose works were on display at the exhibition and who were given a special opportunity to share their art with countless people within their home city. One of these artists, Laila Skalli, comments: “I did not know this gallery that brings artists out to the public, to citizens going about their daily life, in these alleys in the old town in particular, the old town of Rabat. It [was] an extraordinary event for me.”

Ana Maria Iaramboykov

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