Moroccan Art
From International Business Wiki
Moroccan Art Brian Sharpe
The art of many local artists has always been a distinctive creative culture in Morocco. Many of the artistic ideas come from the strong Islamic history and geological layout. There is a huge market for decorative ceramic tiles and also pottery. The pottery is unique to Morocco because the country has many different types of soil found nowhere else in the world, from which they mold into works of art. Also, the ceramic tiles are so beautiful that about every household in Morocco have these tiles displayed on the outside of their houses. The different types of soil they use to make their pottery can be found in four major regions of the North African country. Large populations of potters live and work in the Rabat region near the River Abu Reg Reg. These potters are more contemporary, because of the strong French influence since Morocco was a French Protectorate. Many of the potters design things ranging from garden fountains to dinnerware and coffee sets. The rich red soil of Wadi Lan in the far north is made into their unique style of terracotta pottery. The locals use the terracotta technique for more domestic uses like making oil lamps, charcoal burners, and cooking utensils. The process of making these products is fairly inexpensive and practical in style, yet durable and can withstand extreme heat, which is ideal for the household. The Atlantic Ocean has shaped Morocco geographically so that the fairly small country has very different rocks and minerals. The area known as the “Yellow Coast” is right on the Atlantic Ocean and has very distinctive yellow clay. The major products made out of this clay are bowls and dishes. The dishware has a distinctive look too, that is a one of a kind turquoise glaze and very graceful, curvy black lines painted on them. The fourth and final region that is one of the most popular cities in Islamic culture in Morocco is the Fez region. The area is located in a steep-valley where cobalt is found in the rocks, and the clay found, when fired comes out to be white, which gives the pottery a very individual characteristic. Le Bleu de Fez is what they call it, which is also known as the famous Moroccan blue. This blue–on-white technique is so difficult to find and produce that it is sold at a very high price, which is good for the Moroccan people who dedicate their lives to the artistic designs of their pots. Fez is such a popular city because of not only the unique blue pottery but also the ceramic tiles aforementioned. A major export and staple of Morocco, the tiles are made in massive quantities and hand painted to have that true Moroccan look. Throughout history Morocco has been very individual in their artistic ideas, using all the resources that they have in their soil to produce pottery that cannot be reproduced authentically. This shows great patience and intuitiveness, which can be translated into their workplace and work ethics. Morocco defiantly is a one of a kind country that keeps its distinctiveness, which helps in the international market to differentiate from any other nation.
(2002). Retrieved October 31, 2007, from www.arab.net Web site: http://arab.net/moroccan/mo_pottery.htm
