Madeline Quasebarth is a student at Carnegie Mellon University and an ISA Photo Blogger. She studied abroad with ISA Service Learning in Meknes, Morocco.
When you put two widely different colors next to each other one of two things can happen: 1. One color completely dominates the other, somehow subtracting from the beauty of both colors or 2. The contrasting colors complement each other, making one another more beautiful while demonstrating to the viewer nuances of the color that they may have never noticed before.
In many ways Morocco is the essence of the latter, it is able to maintain this idea of tradition, heritage, of the very old, while simultaneously balancing the notion of modernity and the very new. This juxtaposition of the two can be seen in both everyday life and within its plethora of historical monuments.
It is rare for someone to have the option and ability to witness the implementation of this extreme binary division of old and new in an incredible cohesive manner. The result, from an outsider’s perspective, is what makes Morocco so beautiful and exemplary. However, it also highlights different societal issues within Morocco that may feel that friction of tradition versus modernity as a harsh force rather than a beautiful one.
Nonetheless, that being said due to the fact that culture is not stagnant but moreover a constantly morphing entity it needs its own ingredients to thrive. Each culture is like its own unique type of plant, and as with all plants, some needs lots light and water while with others too much water might destroy it, and prevent its growth.
Without this constant juxtaposition between old and new in daily life, in art, in architecture, Morocco would be missing its key ingredients which allow its culture to thrive. It is only when we have these contrasting concepts that we can see the full spectrum and beauty that inhabits the spaces of difference.
The world awaits…discover it.