Audio essay by Gilles Aubry in collaboration with M’Barek Bouhchichi.

M’Barek Bouhchichi reads verses by M’barek Ben Zida (1925-1973), a black peasant poet from Tata, Morocco. By denouncing social and ethnic inequalities, Ben Zida opened up a rich field of socio-aesthetic possibilities. Written in the 1960s-70s and translated here into French, Ben Zida’s verses are presented alongside an electronic soundscape generated with a Serge analog synthesizer from the same period.

M’barek Bouhchichi, born in Akka, is an artist based in Tahanaout, Morocco, where he also teaches art. His practice explores the boundaries between inner discourse and outward expression, positioning his work at the intersection of the aesthetic and the social. Through installations, paintings, drawings, and videos, he navigates personal and collective narratives, engaging with history, poetry, and identity. Bouhchichi has exhibited widely in Morocco and internationally.credits

released June 30, 2025
Voice : M’Barek Bouhchichi
Synthetizer and composition : Gilles Aubry
Photo: M’Barek Bouhchichi, Installation M’barek Ben Zida, 2018