Yassine Balbzioui (b.1972) works across many disciplines to produce extravagant, theatrical, and energetic performances. His artworks frequently explore “being” and “appearing” through the form of masks. For the Biennale Balbzioui has created a new performance titled Grosse Tête (2014) based on previous works shown in Dakar (2012) and Berlin (2013). The performance lasts between 20 and 25 minutes, during which the artist plasters objects and liquids onto his head, giving rise to a mutant form. Through this act the artist aims to bring the audience to a state of despair and astonishment. As the mutant appears to slowly suffocate from its masking the public becomes witness to an unutterable situation.

Balbzioui was born in Morocco and now lives and works in Paris and Bordeaux. He trained at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Casablanca-Maroc (1996). He has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions internationally, including the Biennale Danse l’Afrique Danse, Bamako (2010); the 7thBerlin Biennial, (2010);Galerie Talmart, Paris (2012); and CAPC Musée d’Art Contemporain, Bordeaux (2013).

(Source: http://www.marrakechbiennale.org/ticketcart/22-visual-arts-artists/183-yassine-balbzioui)