Blog #2.20 Argan Artist’s Workshop in Essaouira

We got to make some amazing art today at a local artist’s studio in the medina of Essaouira! He recycled materials that would otherwise be garbage, and made beautiful art. We had the pleasure of making small ants and other small animals out of wire and argan seeds. The process consisted of cutting the wire then wrapping it around the pegs. Wrap after wrap we folded the wire and within seconds, a small wire ant was made.

Learning to make wire ants with argan shells in Anouar’s artist workshop in Essaouira

The shop was in the middle of the medina and there were many tourists walking by, just as intrigued as we were in the process of making the art. I personally was having a blast making the different pieces while there was vibrant music blasting throughout the streets. Anouar, the owner of the shop made multiple boards to help with the folding of the wire. With just three feet of wire, we made the ants.

Argan shell ants made by students

He showed us his other multimedia art pieces, and explained how the process of making them was similar. We were in the shop for two and a half hours making the ants. He challenged me to make a scorpion without a blueprint. All I had to look at was the one he already made, and I was able to successfully make the scorpion! He was very encouraging the whole time and wanted to keep challenging us to make different animals out of the recycled materials. Even the protective cases were made out of recycled plastic bottles. This was a very relaxing way to end a day of research in Essaouira!

-by Zach Whiteman, Biomedical anthropology undergrad major at USF