In collaboration with Palais Bahia, Dutch-Moroccan textile designer Mina Abouzahra opens her latest exhibition The Soul of a Rug.
The exhibition was inaugurated during the 2025 edition of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair Marrakech (Jan. 30-Feb. 2) and is on view through May 31, 2025.
The experience transports the audience to the life of the women of Taznakht, exploring the artistry and socio-economic challenges they face. At its core, The Soul of a Rug celebrates ancient crafts-woman-ship, cultural preservation, and female empowerment.
Preserving Moroccan Carpet Weaving Traditions
Traditional Moroccan carpet weaving has been under pressure in recent decades. Younger generations are increasingly choosing better-paying professions, threatening to lose the skills their mothers and grandmothers practiced for centuries. “We are at a turning point,” says Mina Abouzahra. “Today we still have the chance to preserve this art form by recognizing its value.” “If we lose this knowledge, we will lose an important piece of Moroccan and African identity.”
An immersive cultural experience: VR installation
Thanks to VR technology, visitors are taken to the rural landscapes of Taznakht, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. The 360-degree film, written and directed by Dutch Maaike Koorman (Scopiclabs) along with French-Moroccan Noria Chaal, takes the viewer into the rhythmic sound of village life, the sophisticated weaving process and the spiritual connection between the artisans and their work. Each colorful tapestry tells a unique story that reflects centuries-old traditions and cultural identity.
Mina Abouzahra
Dutch-Moroccan designer, artist, and furniture maker with a deep interest in the Moroccan weaving craft and its talented female artisans. Abouzahra’s motivations and ambitions are dedicated to building bridges between diverse worlds: Netherlands & Morocco, craft & design, tradition & innovation, past & present, and – in the context of this project – traditional craftsmanship & modern technology. Abouzahra’s work has been showcased and bought by museums such as Centraal Museum Utrecht, Amsterdam Museum, Palai Bahia, Het Nieuwe Instituut and COBRA and more. Since 2023 she has been represented by the renowned Rademakers Gallery.
