Oscar Wilde, who enjoyed wearing paisley jackets and cravats, reportedly said: “One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art.” This work is about planting a work of art, paisley style.
The project creates a place for people to use and interact in, but also to be seen from above by passersby and from apartment buildings overlooking the space. Situated on a small peninsula in a coastal resort just south of the famous city of Casablanca, Morocco, the work is attached to a Residence called simply "Peninsula"
The work involved cleaning and restoring an old stone quarry which made access to the rocky seashore dangerous because of the slippery nature of the small fragments of stone schist that were left after quarrying activities. There is an 11m difference in level between the road and the waterfront which is used to create concrete bleachers with a voluptuously curvaceous form thus creating an event space for local events and a user-friendly space.
The planting took the form of a paisley tapestry, inspired by the curves of waves, water droplets in the sea spray, and the freestyle movement of seabirds in the air to be repeated by users as they "glide" through the space along the serpentine curves. Colours and textures of the plant foliage add to the paisley motif, enriching the space with layers of interest.
Collaborators: Mouna Chaabi ; Mohamed Bsibes
Contractors: STAM and Atelier Vert.