Hicham Benohoud's "Salle de Classe" series presents a fascinating exploration into the classroom environment, offering more than meets the eye and challenging viewers to delve into the exceptional. Born in Marrakech in 1968, Benohoud brings a dual perspective to this series, leveraging his experiences as both an artist and an art teacher. The collection spans from 1994 to 2000 and showcases black and white silver gelatin prints that capture the classroom's essence in a surreal and symbolic way.
In a unique blend of reality and performance, Benohoud engaged his students in creating these artworks, assigning them specific poses and incorporating unconventional accessories like cardboard, string, paper, and mirrors. This approach infuses the photographs with a sense of theatricality and psychological depth, effectively blurring the boundaries between the innocence of childhood and the complexities of symbolism and subtle violence.
The photographs reveal a stark contrast between the focused students immersed in their studies and their peers, transformed into surreal figures, often portrayed in restrained or peculiarly suspended poses. Benohoud's skillful composition highlights the confined classroom space, with only fleeting glimpses of the external world through windows, thereby underscoring the significance of light in molding these young subjects into living art.
Drawing inspiration from pantomime and the concept of confinement, Benohoud's work resonates with Michel Foucault's philosophical musings on institutional nature. He positions himself not merely as an observer but as the orchestrator of these scenes, effectively erasing the distinctions between the photographer, the subjects, and the audience. This immersive approach invites viewers to confront their own responses and emotions when faced with these enigmatic scenarios.
While "Salle de Classe" might initially seem peaceful, it veils a profound, underlying violence that probes the essence of human existence. The series encourages contemplation of the societal constraints and norms shaping our lives, particularly within the Moroccan context, all while maintaining a semblance of irony and superficial lightness.
Through "Salle de Classe," Hicham Benohoud invites us to reconsider our perceptions of the classroom, the dynamics of power it embodies, and the friction between the individual and the collective institution. His work stands as a testament to his artistic ingenuity, continuing to engage and challenge audiences across cultural divides. In Benohoud's hands, these photographs transform into gateways to a world where the mundane is reimagined as extraordinary, and the process of education becomes a work of art in itself.
