Plain reddish wasteland with the same reddish houses and walls ends in front of the high door. Villa Slimane. We are here. Bearded man opens the door and we are amazed as we drive into the greenery.
Pusta rdečkasta ravnina z enakimi rdečkastimi hišami in zidovi se konča pred visokimi vrati. Vila Slimane. Tu sva. Bradati moški odpre vrata in osupla zapeljeva med zelenje.
Olive pickers are hidden among the trees, there are sheep and donkeys behind the fence, ducks in the pond, Monica passes by with blue hands and directs us to pavilion. Sarah takes us to see the permaculture property; into the painting studio, through the villa to the swimming pool, into the tunnel made of plants that leads to the yoga studio. We stroll among orchards and gardens decorated with art works. Four playfull dogs join us but we finish our sightseeing with a chat under an old tree in the pavilion.
Obiralci oliv se izgubljajo med oljkami, za ograjo ovce in osla, v mlaki race, od nekod pride Monica z modrimi rokami in naju usmeri v paviljon. Sarah naju od tod popelje na ogled permakulturne posesti, v slikarski atelje, skozi vilo do bazena, v rastlinski tunel, ki se konča pri studiu, med nasade in vrtove, okrašene z umetniškimi deli. Pridružijo se nam štirje igrivi psi, pot pa sklenemo s klepetom pod starim drevesom v paviljonu.
In the company of young artists and travellers we soon feel at home. Evenings are quickly passing while having pleasant chats, telling stories at the fire, spoiling dogs and cats, making crochet roof for Monica’s sculpture, eating together and sometimes watching a movie. On Fridays we meet in the villa at the long table for a traditional couscous. Aziz and Rachel, the founders of the art program we take part in, join us there.
V družbi mladih umetnikov in popotnikov se hitro udomačiva. Večeri minevajo v prijetnih pomenkih, s pripovedovanjem zgodb ob ognju, razvajanjem psov in mačk, kvačkanjem strehe za Monicino skulpturo, ob skupnih obrokih in projekcijah filmov. Ob petkih se srečujemo za dolgo mizo v vili ob tradicionalnem kuskusu. Pridružita se nam Aziz in Rachel, ustanovitelja umetniškega programa.
Most of the day we spend in the studio improving our juggling, acrobatic and music skills with new elan. We develop a short performance and present it at Jemaa el’Fna, the main square in Marrakech, to learn about the place and find out, how people respond. The square has a magnificent tradition of street performing. During the day trumpeting snake charmers and men with chained monkeys dominate but in the down musicians, storytellers, magicians, comedians and acrobats appear. A magical experience of street performing in the middle of a crowd forming a circle around us is keeping us focused on the ongoing creative work.
Večji del dneva preživiva v studiu, kjer s svežim zagonom izpopolnjujeva žonglerske, akrobatske in glasbene spretnosti. Oblikujeva kratko predstavo in se z njo podava na Jemaa el’Fna, glavni trg v Marakešu, da bi spoznala prostor in ugotovila, kako se odzivajo ljudje. Trg ima veličastno tradicijo uličnih nastopov, čez dan tu gospodarijo trobeči krotilci kač in ljudje z opicami na verigah, ob mraku pa se pojavijo glasbeniki, pripovedovalci zgodb, čarovniki, komedijanti in akrobati. Čarobna izkušnja uličnega nastopanja v spremstvu mase ljudi, ki se je v krogu nabrala okrog naju, še preden sva sploh začela, naju spodbuja pri nadaljnjem delu.
At Sundays we have circus and theater workshops for girls in a women empowerment group of project Soar. We introduced circus to children in the nearby alternative school too. Meetings are inspiring for everybody involved and it is difficult to hold back tears of being moved sometimes.
Ob nedeljah vodiva cirkuško-gledališke delavnice za dekleta v projektu Soar, skupini za opolnomočenje žensk, s cirkusom sva seznanila tudi otroke v bližnji alternativni šoli. Srečanja so polna obojestranske inspiracije in v nekaterih trenutkih je težko zadržati solze ganjenosti.
After a month visitors of art residency are leaving. We created strong friendships and it is difficult to say goodbye. Monica is sending regards from Argentina, Jordan and Freya are moving to the North of Morroco to teach English, Sarah is going to California for holidays, Kate will work in Portugal, Ian will paint in Switzerland, while the buried head of a shark from Essaouira will be decomposing under his shrine. I hope we meet each other again soon!
Po enem mesecu se obiskovalci umetniške rezidence menjajo. Ustvarili smo močne prijateljske vezi, zato je težko reči zbogom. Monica nas pozdravlja iz Argentine, Jordan in Freya odhajata na sever Maroka poučevat angleščino, Sarah gre za praznike v Kalifornijo, Kate bo delala na Portugalskem, Ian bo slikal v Švici, medtem ko bo zakopana glava morskega psa iz Essaouire počasi razpadala pod njegovo skulpturo. Upam, da se kmalu spet srečamo!
Text: Uroš
Photo: Uroš, Eva & Rachel