Hichem Driss (TN)

This series was realised on the Mediterranean coast of rocks with the use of a
pinhole camera. The pinhole camera, -Driss refers-, enables me to catch what
the human eye would never be able to see. Without lens, the image is softer and
presents a distorted perspective. Everything that moves can disappear from the
photos for lack of time to impregnate the photosensitive surface; on the coast,
only the rocks will be well defi ned for their stillness within the wilderness of the
sky and sea while the technical blur enables us to wipe out any spatial or temporal
landmarks in order to propose the notion of immortality and timelessness».
Due to its geographical situation, Tunisia has always served as a natural passage
between Africa and Europe. In recent years the gloriously mythical coasts of
Tunisia that are traditionally highly valued by tourism have made the headlines
for quite a diff erent phenomenon. Lack of any future prospects, unemployment,
poverty, and sheer desperation has been inciting people to leave the
African continent with the wish to reach the European Eldorado of their dreams.
The Tunisian coastline is the major point of departure for ships taking these
clandestine passengers towards the coasts of Europe or specifi cally to destinations
on the Italian shores. Visa restrictions lead to illegal emigration attempts, unscrupulous
traffi cking of people, and a tragic death toll at sea. This exhibition is dedicated
to those people that lost their life in the humid passages of Mediterranean.