The Colonial Modern as Commonplace

With Wafae Belarbi (architect and scientist, National School of Architecture Rabat), Hassan Darsi (artist, Association Le Source du Lion, Casablanca), Souad Guennoun (photographer, ARC), Abderrahim Kassou (president Casa Mémoire, Casablanca)

Moderation: Tom Avermaete (Delft University of Technology)

Wafae Berlarbi is an architect, researcher and teacher that is connected to the National School of Architecture in Rabat. Her doctoral research focuses on the analysis and the development of strategies for informal settlements, the so-called bidonvilles, in the peripheries of Moroccan cities. Wafae Berlarbi focuses especially on some of the bidonvilles in the periphery of Casablanca, that until today remain an important concern for such a programs as ‘Villes sans Bidonvilles’.

Hassan Darsi is an artist, born in 1961 in Casablanca. He lives and works in Casablanca. He is the founder of the Association La Source du Lion that organizes since 1998 different events on contemporary art. His work establishes a dialogue between a rigorous, conceptual approach to making art and an involvement in social actions involving art. He has been active in Casablanca in initiating and managing artist-run projects with a strong social engagement and has exhibited in a large variety of places in Morocco and abroad.

Souad Guennoun is an architect and photographer, born in 1956 in Casablanca. She lives and works in Casablanca. In 1986 she initiated the architecture office ARC. In 1989 she started to photograph Casablanca from the period 1930-1950, including the Bousbir neighbourhood that was subsequently demolished without resistance. She regularly contributes to the periodical Le Journal with articles on daily life and culture. Souad Guennoun is strongly engaged in humanitarian action.

Abderrahim Kassou is an architect and researcher. He is the president of Casa Mémoire, an association that battles for the preservation of the built heritage in the city of Casablanca. He has taught for 4 years at the National School of Architecture in Rabat and is the national organizer of the research project Patrimoines Partagés. He is an associate partner at the architecture firm Kilo D’architecture, that is working on new buildings as well as on rehabilitation projects.