Souvenir, 2003, woodcarvings.
SOUVENIR was made on a recent visit to Marrakech. Mekki Al Assadi, a woodcarver based in the outskirts of the city, was commissioned to translate Vienna Secesionists designs (including the original Secessionist logo of a stylized rose which was one of the Wiener Werkstatte original emblems), into playful woodcarvings in the shape of ping pong bats. A dialogue with Mekki was established and the nature of the original designs, their meaning and possible translations, and their crossover with traditional geometrical moorish design were discussed at length. The results were personal and playful. Souvenir is usually placed leaning against gallery walls or on shelves in people’s homes.
This project subsequently lead to the creation of Souvenir 3,4,5. and FANTASIA BY MEKKI AL ASSADI. In this work Mekki had cart blanche to reinterpret the Wiener Werkstatte Rose emblem in his own way.
Fantasia by Mekki Al Assadi , 2003, woodcarvings.
Mekki Al Assadi, in his workshop in the outskirts of Marrakech, 2006