Mounir Fatmi, born in 1970 in Tangier, Morocco, is an artist whose work spans a variety of media, including installation, film, sculpture, and video.

Fatmi's upbringing in the flea market of Casabarata, one of Tangier's poorest neighbourhoods, played a significant role in his artistic development. The environment, rich in waste and common-use objects, instilled in him an appreciation for materials that others might consider obsolete. His work reflects a deep engagement with the idea of defunct media and the decline of consumerist society, exploring themes through the lenses of Architecture, Language, and Machine. Fatmi's art questions memory, language, and communication limits, scrutinizing the future of these obsolescent materials and their role in the transmission of knowledge and the power of images​​.

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One of his notable projects, "Skyline," constructed from VHS tapes, critiques global consumerism's sprawl and its failure to manage its social and environmental consequences. Another significant work, "Oil, Oil, Oil, Oil," employs agals soaked in black paint to comment on the historical conflict over petroleum in the Middle East and its human cost​​.

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Fatmi's background in a dynamic and challenging environment like Casabarata has profoundly influenced his artistic philosophy. This foundation has allowed him to develop a unique approach that situates his work between Archive and Archeology, engaging deeply with contemporary history and popular culture's impact on society. His installations have been featured in numerous international biennales and exhibitions, showcasing his critical engagement with modern technological history and its effects on popular culture​​.

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