A peculiar caravan of handmade animals is currently making its way through the Agafay desert, on the outskirts of Marrakech. It is The Herds, an international art project that fuses sculpture in movement, environmental commitment and community participation. Through monumental figures of African fauna, this "herd" symbolises the urgency of taking action in the face of climate change and the loss of biodiversity on the continent.
The journey, which began in April in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo), has already covered more than 6,800 kilometres and has visited key countries such as Nigeria and Senegal. At each stop, the figures not only parade: they also generate workshops with young people, meetings with local artists and moments of reflection on the ecological crisis. The sculptures - dwarfs, elephants, gorillas and zebras - are made from recycled materials and represent species affected by environmental degradation.
Now in Morocco, the initiative is moving northwards with its sights set on the Arctic Circle, the final destination of this journey of more than 20,000 kilometres. Every metre travelled aims to leave its mark, not only in the sand, but also in the collective conscience. With the slogan "Join the Herds", the project invites people to join a global cause with a creative spirit and a transformative commitment.
Far from being a simple performance, The Herds poses a new language of protest: silent, symbolic and profoundly visual. Wherever it goes, it leaves open questions and a clear message: the time to act is now.
Sources: @the_herds | theguardian.com | vogue.com