Water is the central theme of the new Museum of Marrakesh
Museum of Marrakech
Water – an essential expression of the history of all civilisations – and hydraulic heritage are the core focus of the new museum.
It will be a museum without walls, with a hybrid museological model and different functions, whose aim is to preserve and make the traditional and genius hydraulic heritage of Morocco known.
The new MOHAMMED VI MUSEUM FOR THE WATER CIVILIZATION IN MOROCCO aims to bring the issue of water into the centre of public debate, disseminating information, raising awareness and creating an awareness of the challenges that sustainable development poses, demanding a new strategic vision for water. The Museum is displaying the exceptional heritage of the Moroccan School of Moroccan Water and its wealth of knowledge, rooted in traditional practices, which should not only be preserved and shown but also serve as a model of sustainable and efficient management of water resources.
With this new project, MUSE achieves another important recognition of its competence and experience accumulated in the expository and museographic design on the theme of water. This knowledge has already been materialised in previous projects as exemplified by the Extreme Water Pavilion, Kuwait Pavilion and Water Tower, at EXPO Zaragoza in Spain.
For the quality of the proposal submitted by MUSE, the relevant experience acquired in the scientific field and in the context of the conservation and preservation of heritage was a valuable contribution.
The MOHAMMED VI MUSEUM FOR THE WATER CIVILIZATION IN MOROCCO has the grand ambition to contribute to the conservation and documentation of the traditional hydraulic genius of Morocco and of the Moroccans during the period between the ninth century and nineteenth century and to make all of their achievements known; to present all the social, cultural and spiritual manifestations related to water; and to show a complete mapping of the water resources of Morocco, in their different forms: hydrological, hydrogeological and marine.
With 13 themed spaces developed, the museum’s environment is marked by the use of diversified scenographic resources, covering display cabinets, multimedia installations and experimental modules. Emphasis for the Water Space – A substance different from others, dedicated to the scientific aspects, properties and role of water in nature, with an environment that suggests a modern and futuristic atmosphere inspired by water molecules.
The exhibition route and the thematic implementation of content are developed around a circular structure of three levels, with a central courtyard that unifies the space and adds a sense of height, which creates a spectacular scenographic space.
The museological project’s main objectives are to promote the Moroccan heritage and its legacy in the development of hydraulic engineering and in the preservation, use and management of water resources; to reveal the role of water as a necessary condition of life; and to communicate its value as an inalienable source of development.
It will also be a way to provide the city of Marrakesh with a quality cultural infrastructure that will transform into an icon and an attraction for all visitors. It will be a place of entertainment and for the discussion of water-related issues affecting the local and regional level by promoting temporary exhibitions, workshops of educational activities, conferences and national and international seminars.
It also has as its mission to provide an educational tool for students and researchers in the field of hydraulic heritage and contemporary issues on water. Above all, it seeks to be a museum without walls, creating a local network of hydraulic heritage, supporting and preserving the still living traditions.
The museological model developed reflects a hybrid approach and a plurality of functions:
1. An archaeological museum: to preserve heritage;
2. A science museum: to drive innovation;
3. A modern interpretation centre: to thrill and generate participation;
4. A museum without walls: to preserve and rehabilitate heritage in situ;
5. An international research centre: to discover and to communicate.
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Une expérience inédite pour protéger la mémoire de l’eau
