Atlas series

Titled after its namesake, the Atlas Mountains, the series showcases photographs of the site, which is rich in minerals and semi-precious stones that are highly sought after. Along a popular travel path through the mountains, locals sell imitations of these rocks to tourists, unearthing colorless and valueless quartz Geodes, and dying their interiors in vibrant colors, in order to appeal to and demand high prices from potential customers. Baghriche is interested in how these objects, initially barren, are imbued with value, and how they become one person’s livelihood and another’s prized possession. In this sense, the photographic representation of the geodes reflects the object’s beauty, capturing the idea of luxury, in sharp contrast with the disheveled and worn out hands that hold them. The artist forces us to question the very essence of the art we acquire, and to reconsider our expectations associated with our purchases. By presenting these photos in the context of a gallery, Baghriche assimilates himself to the makers of these artfully crafted geodes.