Even during the pandemic: Exchange between schools for arts and crafts in Munich and Marrakesh

18 apprentices from a wood sculptor class from the Munich Center for Arts and Crafts and 14 soon-to-be arts and crafts men and women from Marrakesh accepted the challenge to sketch and assemble a jewel box. This task is part of the partner project OFE (Orientation-Formation-Emploi).

The works have been rated by two commitees, a German one and a Moroccan one. Concerning the works from Marrakesh, Said Taiboune’s jewel convinced the jury in regard of its distinct and plain external form and the sketch’s creative adaptation. The German teachers on one handside were impressed by the speed of the Moroccan apprentices. On the other handside, the Morrocan teachers were excited about the creativity and the artwork of the pupils from Munich. Regarding the German apprentices’ works, Hannah Ranieri’s jewel case convinced the jury. 

“It is great to see, which creative and original forms have been created and designed by the German apprentices. This really impressed us. As our apprentices heard the term “jewel case”, it was clear to them to create a classical jewel case. It was not clear to them that it was also about finding and creating new forms. To date, the development of creativity and the creation of new, original sketchs is not yet a part of the apprenticeship.” (Cheikh Tijani, schoolmaster of the school in Marrakesh).

The experiences gained during this first competition have lead to some ideas for possible changes at the Center for Art s and Crats CQPAT in Marrakesh. Within the scope of the partner project OFE, which is supported by BMZ and sequa, these ideas can now be accompanied and implemented. Of course, the teachers from Marrakesh and Munich are looking forward to getting to know each other in person as soon as the situation of the pandemic allows them to. Then the exchange can be intensified on the spot.