“Women and Digital Art” by Houda Bakkali will be exhibited in 6 Barcelona City Council cultural centers in 2023. The exhibitions will begin in January and close on March 30, coinciding with International Women’s Month. This exhibition has its physical headquarters in 6 cultural centers of the Barcelona City Council (Spain) but digitally crosses borders through the concept of augmented reality, digital technology and much more.

Bakkali will exhibit 30 pieces in which claims the emancipation of Arab and Muslim women and will do so through digital tools. Each cultural center will have several canvases from the “Women and Digital Art” series, as well as augmented reality versions where the public can enjoy an immersive and interactive experience of each piece. All the exhibitions will be complemented by a conference-workshop on the uses of augmented reality in artistic environments.

“It is an exceptional opportunity to bring my work closer to the people, a perfect way to democratize art and share new technologies in public and cultural spaces of some of the most emblematic neighborhoods of Barcelona. This project represents a great challenge that I take on with great enthusiasm, since Barcelona is a world culture brand, a symbol of innovation and talent. I am very grateful to the Barcelona City Council  for the love and respect for my work.” Bakkali says.

The style of Houda Bakkali is unmistakable and derives from a sophisticated and often ironic mimesis of the popular contents.

Her female figures are simple, colorful and convincing. She turns urban scenes into festive ones through different versions of her canvases, complementing each piece with animations and augmented reality. Her work is clear, symbolic and suggestive, with a marked multicultural accent and a close and fun pop style.

The utility of art

“With this cycle of exhibitions in Barcelona, I want to convey the idea of a useful art that tells stories, is entertaining and constantly grows. An art that unites, that flows between the different spaces, constantly adapting and reinventing itself. Vibrating more strongly in each space that welcomes it. An art that travels the world and adds up. I think art should be useful. It must have a content that contributes something positive to society, regardless of the emotions that an artistic work provokes in us or its aesthetic dimension, art can be a very powerful tool to communicate, to inform and also to create pedagogy. Technology at the service of art is useful. It gives life to the works, creates debate, arouses curiosity and invites learning, grants the infinite power to go beyond physical and temporal spaces. Technology, used well, continually challenges and surprises us. It complements the work and reinvents it. Art must be useful and technology must help it.”Bakkali says

About Houda Bakkali

Houda Bakkali is an award-winning visual creative based in Spain. She is expert in new technologies applied to art such as augmented reality, NFT, AI and immersive experiences. With a long career as a digital artist, her artwork has been recognized by international magazines, institutions and iconic spaces in New York, Paris, Cannes, Monaco, Geneva, Sanremo, Madrid, etc., with important projects in public spaces such as the Madrid International Airport or the Malaga College of Physicians, her career is linked to scientific and medical projects, as well. She has collaborated with the Ibero-American Organization for Science, Education and Culture (OEI), developing a project about health, communication and design which was recognized with the WIS certificate.