« One day, one elsewhere » ended with the deconfinement in France. Let’s now give way to  » One day, one discovery  » : a journey towards more light and beautiful people for sunshine in 2021 ! Open door to local crafts! D-27.

Trying to cope with the dreariness and gloom and suddenly having an irrepressible desire to find oneself in the heart of the Atlas Mountains.

Reliving the good moments shared in the palm grove of Skoura in the company of the both Mohamed.

Remembering incredible trips with Mohamed n°1 and in particular those to his friend the potter, Mohamed n°2.

Remembering the first time you walked through the big gate until you felt the emotion.

Watching Mohamed the potter who strikes the earth collected this afternoon in the desert.

Admiring Mohamed who gives him a little help.

To allow yourself to be pierced by the worker’s gaze after the effort.

See him sifting the earth to extract the pebbles and keep only the silt…

… and pour a little water into the small heap of earth gathered in the shape of a well to prepare the slurry.

Then, to see him knead the slurry to expel the air.

Finally to look it form a ball of clay.

To admire the potter who caress it delicately, because it is precious and because it already carries the promise of beautiful work. The artist already knows what will become of it.

Let the clay rest for a while.

Then to settle down in front of the lathe.

… then to place the ball on the girelle, making sure it is well centred…

…adjust it and then, thanks to the weight of the body, start to raise the keel.

… moisten the ball.

Driving the wet hands that come and go with precision on the lathe.

Observing the material taking shape

With the thumbs to give the desired shape.

Admiring the object that is clearly taking shape.

Grasp the knife to remove the excess and start drawing.

At nightfall, at Mohamed’s invitation, enter his workshop.

With a new ball, being at work again.

Make the centering…

… building the wall…

The ball of clay is still raw…

With the barbotine, swirl and lighten the shapes

A great moment of communion between man and the earth is soothing, like a return to our roots.

Each part of the body knows what it has to do, the gestures follow on from one another before our wide-open eyes.

The artist has forgotten us, he is body and soul in his gesture.

It’s time to up the wave.

Now to pinch the material gently and firmly.

To moisten it…

To smooth it…

Fingers covered with clay, to cut, to slice, to trace. It’s all in the mastery of the hand game.

The artist gradually unveils in front of our moved eyes the piece in the making… let it rest, the rest of the story will come tomorrow…

Par Nathalie

Next episode : https://nathjy.travel.blog/2020/12/06/an-evening-with-the-potter-of-the-oasis-of-skoura/

Translated with http://www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)