Villes Saisies / Gewonnen Steden

Nedjma Hadj and Manon de Boer travelled to Fez and Casablanca with their camera and met one woman in each city. Two portraits of cities and two different lifestyles unfold in their personal stories, thus proving that modern western life is as visible in Fez and Casablanca as it is in Brussels. Western architecture, fashion, practices and habits are absorbed, processed and translated into a local context. This process is a good point of departure for a study of the significance of modern Europe and how this extends beyond its geographical borders. ‘Nowadays, there is aggressive investment in public spaces. And anyone who does not accept this is considered an intruder, an enemy that must be destroyed. Just as you can feel safe in a place where there is a proper investment in space, it is also possible for a sense of fear to develop when there is chaos.’ (Wafae of Casablanca)