HASHISH and its journey from Morocco to Europe is the subject of a new book and exhibition at Manchester Photographic Gallery on Lever Street from 24 April.
After Dodo’s death, Kurtis retraced the journey in tribute to his friend
KIF by Argentinian photographer Seba Kurtis documents a trip inspired by his now-deceased friend, Dodo, who he met while sharing a flat as illegal immigrants in Tenerife.
The friends took separate paths. While Kurtis married and moved to the UK to follow his career as a photographer, Dodo went on a one-off fundraising expedition to Morocco as a drug mule. He later died in Barcelona.
When the pair last met, Dodo rhapsodised about Chefchaouen, the northern Moroccan province where 90,000 households are modestly sustained on the cultivation of cannabis. Dodo was enchanted by the whitewashed medinas that cling to the slopes of the mountains there and the farms that nestle above them.
After Dodo’s death, Kurtis retraced the journey in tribute to his friend. The book and exhibition, KIF, is the result. Like much of Kurtis's work, it explores the personal, social and cultural impact of irregular migration, and is informed by his time spent as an illegal immigrant after leaving Argentina during its political and economic crisis in 2001.
The launch of KIF takes place at Manchester Photographic Gallery, 22 Lever Street, on Thursday 24 April from 6pm-9pm. There will be a talk with Seba Kurtis and curator Andrew Moseley on Friday 25 April at 1.30pm. Both events are free to attend. KIF is published by Here Press and is priced at £15.
