The idea is to show how these people have evolved, not with the aim of pointing out that their life is better in Europe, because this is not always the case, but to explain that the deplorable circumstances they were in when they were rescued at sea is the consequence of the lack of safe methods of travel for these people who are forced to migrate in the way they do. On the one hand, I take a second portrait of them, trying to maintain a similar distance and composition to the photo taken on the day of the rescue, focusing again on their identity. The second part of the project has several layers both photographically and narratively. Throughout these seven years of work, I’ve managed to locate 105 of the 118 passengers on the ship and I have already met 75 of them, who are living in different countries all over Europe. I did think at the time about the possibility of locating someone later and following up, but as a one-off, not to the level I’ve reached. Moving away from the mass of photographs and focusing on the identity of the 118 passengers on that boat allowed me to begin to change the narrative, to speak of individual stories. These people became numbers without identity, under the umbrella of the term “migrant,” which virtually negates their uniqueness and personal stories and simplifies the migration narrative. Every day the NGO had to report to the Italian authorities the number of people rescued. In the three weeks I was onboard, nearly two thousand people were rescued, and I focused on the passengers of a single boat. “In 2016, I had the opportunity to board the German NGO Juggend Rettet’s rescue ship ‘Iuventa.’ My aim was to show what was happening on the Central Mediterranean migration route, to represent those involved in a dignified way. Ultimately, my goal is to use my photography to spark a conversation about the future of oases and inspire action to protect and conserve these invaluable ecosystems for generations to come.” My research also aims to better understand different approaches, practices, and programs applied to the valorization, conservation, and sustainable development of oases, which are known to be environmentally sensitive.

These issues are rarely covered by the media and are largely unknown to the public. My objective is to amplify the voices of local inhabitants, environmental activists, ecological organizations, scientists, and researchers who are working to preserve the oases. Through my project, I aim to shed light on the lives of the men and women living in the oases by sharing their stories, showcasing the beauty of the oases, and raising awareness about the dramatic effects of climate change on these unique ecosystems. Yet, for the majority of Moroccans, the desert remains unexplored, and the oases are ecosystems that are little known. When we think of Morocco from abroad, we often envision the desert, oases, and camels. For many Moroccans, the dryness and drought mean not only the loss of biodiversity, but also the loss of their cultural heritage. It’s also accelerating the displacement of the oases population. Sadly, water stress is leading to a decline in agriculture, livestock, livelihoods, and food in the oases. I wanted to highlight the rich tangible and intangible heritage of oases affected by the closure of the border between Algeria and Morocco, along with the effects of globalization and rural exodus. These unique ecosystems have served as bridges between Morocco and the rest of Africa for centuries, fostering trade, religious and political ties, and shaping the forms of social, political, and economic tribal organization. Through my research and field trips, I also became increasingly aware of the cultural, historical, and ecological significance of oases. I discovered that recurrent droughts and fires, changes in agricultural practices, and overexploitation of natural resources mean oases are facing a range of challenges that are endangering their very existence. There, I had the opportunity to meet with the local population and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of oases the way the biodiversity, animal habitats, and fodder crops they offer are vital to life in the desert. I participated in the Caravane Tighmert Residency in 2016, which is an art residency held in Tighmert oasis. “According to the World Bank's climate and development report, Morocco is now on the cusp of an absolute water shortage, with water resources dwindling to a mere 500m3 per person per year–a threshold that could have catastrophic consequences for the population and the economy.

Mentor recycled landscape materials