Chourouk Hriech by Valentin Le Cron

In the heart of Marseille resides the Franco-Moroccan artist Chourouk Hriech, whose passion for exploring the interaction between city and forest has earned her international recognition. With works that combine photography, drawing, and in situ installations, Chourouk offers a unique perspective on this complex relationship. She recently brought her project to the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, where we found time to discuss her inspirations and impressions. In this exclusive interview, Chourouk shares her reflections on Rio's "organized chaos," the influence of nature on architecture, and the importance of birds in her work.

Question: Hello, Chourouk! It's a pleasure to have you with us. You mentioned Rio's "organized chaos" as something that caught your attention. Could you tell us more about that?

Chourouk: Certainly! Upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro, I immediately encountered a fascinating phenomenon: what I call "organized chaos." This expression captures the essence of what I'm exploring in my project at the Museum of Tomorrow. Rio is a city that conveys a sense of constant movement, changing its appearance and atmosphere throughout the day and night. This instability touched me deeply and has been a constant source of inspiration for my art.

Question: Regarding your work, how do you explore the relationship between the forest and architecture?

Chourouk: The relationship between the forest and architecture is a central theme in my work. There is an intrinsic interaction between these two elements. On the one hand, the forest is a natural ecosystem, independent of human influence. On the other hand, architecture is a human creation, shaped by our needs and thoughts. What I find particularly interesting is the collective imagination that permeates this relationship, transcending the boundaries that separate us. As human beings, we are constantly imagining, projecting, and naming things in our interaction with nature. However, we often become inadequate in relation to our environment, feeling the need to interfere and mold it in our own image.

Question: How do you incorporate these ideas into your artwork?

Chourouk: My goal is to create a symphony and a choreography through my drawings, photographs, and installations. By observing my works, it is possible to recognize familiar elements and reconstruct these visions, these worlds that I traverse. However, there is also room for doubt and abstract interpretations. This tension between the recognizable and the abstract reflects the complexity of this relationship between city and forest. Ultimately, I want my works to convey a sense of balance between my graphic interpretation and the displacement of imaginations, both mine and the public's.

Question: You mentioned the presence of birds in your work. What do they represent to you?

Chourouk: Birds have been an essential figure in my art for over two decades. For me, they personify absolute freedom. Unlike human beings, birds don't need passports or visas to explore the world. They are like clouds that float freely through the sky. The figure of the bird symbolizes this ability to escape the limitations and boundaries imposed by man. They are a constant inspiration on my artistic journey.

The Pearl Plants. Chourouk Hriech, 2023. Preparatory drawing for the canvases exhibited at the Museum of Tomorrow, 2023.

Through her unique and multifaceted perspective, Chourouk invites us to explore the complex relationship between city and forest. Her works, a combination of drawings, installations, and photographs, capture the essence of the “organized chaos” found in Rio de Janeiro. By blending the recognizable with the abstract, Chourouk creates a visual symphony that makes us reflect on our interaction with nature and the boundaries we construct. Her birds symbolize freedom and the search for a balance between our creations and the natural world that surrounds us. With her distinct artistic voice, Chourouk invites us to rethink our relationship with the environment and to explore new perspectives on the interconnectedness between city and forest.

From July 11th, the Museum of Tomorrow, in partnership with the Consulate General of France and Goethe-Institut Rio de Janeiro, will host the exhibition-installation A City in the Forest, by the Franco-Moroccan artist Chourouk Hriech.