SEE DJERBA
International Media Art Project 2024
Houmt Souk
6 — 8 October 2024
Daily 8:00 PM to Midnight
Free Admission
Unique Art Festival for New Media Art
SEE DJERBA presents a rare chance to immerse yourself in new media art while exploring the rich tapestry of Djerba’s cultural and natural heritage. As the sun sets and the artworks come to life, visitors are invited on a journey of discovery through the streets and historic sites of Houmt Souk.
This nocturnal art adventure celebrates Djerba’s unique character, where ancient traditions and contemporary expressions coexist and inspire one another. Interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, SEE DJERBA 2024 marks the revival of the initiative founded in 2017 by the artistic directors Aymen Gharbi and Bettina Pelz.
Feat. Public Art
SEE DJERBA embraces the democratic spirit of public art, bringing media art installations directly to the streets, squares, and historical sites of Houmt Souk. This approach dismantles traditional barriers to art appreciation, inviting people from all walks of life to engage with contemporary artistic expression in their everyday environments. The exhibition’s public nature ensures accessibility for locals and visitors, regardless of age, background, or familiarity with art.
Feat: Art Experience
As twilight descends and the artworks illuminate the town, SEE DJERBA transforms familiar spaces into a collective outdoor gallery, encouraging spontaneous encounters and shared experiences.
This inclusive approach democratizes access to art and challenges artists to create works that resonate with diverse audiences, sparking conversations and connections across social boundaries. By integrating art into the fabric of daily life in Houmt Souk, SEE DJERBA 2024 reinforces the power of creative expression to unite, inspire, and transform public spaces into sites of collective reflection and imagination.
A Transnational Mix of Artists
The exhibition features diverse artists from Tunisia, Europe, and beyond, each bringing their unique perspective to the interplay of nature, culture, and art. Visitors can expect to encounter thought-provoking sculptures, immersive installations, mesmerizing projections, and site-specific interventions that respond to and reimagine Houmt Souk’s historic sites and public spaces. As night falls, these artworks transform the town into a canvas of light, color, and reflection, encouraging visitors to see familiar spaces through new, artistic lenses.
A Site- and Context-specific Approach
At the heart of SEE DJERBA lies a profound examination of Djerba’s geographical and ecological significance. The island’s position in the Mediterranean has shaped its natural environment and cultural identity. Many artworks focus on Djerba’s natural heritage and its surrounding region.
Of particular focus in 2024 are the salt lakes, or chotts, that dot the landscape near the island. These unique geological features have played a crucial role in shaping the region’s ecosystem and have long been intertwined with local traditions and ways of life. Artists will explore how these salt flats, with their stark beauty and ecological importance, have influenced the cultural narrative of Djerba and continue to do so in the face of environmental changes.
Ecological Awareness
SEE DJERBA 2024 confronts the pressing ecological challenges facing the island and the wider Mediterranean region. Like many islands, Djerba grapples with increasing water stress due to climate change, population growth, and tourism demands. The recent introduction of seawater desalination plants, while alleviating immediate shortages, raises questions about energy consumption and long-term sustainability. Meanwhile, the Mediterranean Sea faces growing threats from pollution, including plastic waste, chemical runoff, and microplastics. These issues endanger marine ecosystems and impact the livelihoods of coastal communities and the quality of life on the island. In the continuation of last year’s artistic projects and for the new edition, artists share their reflections on the water crisis in Tunisia and beyond.
Collective Effort for Sustainable Development
SEE DJERBA 2024 aims to raise awareness, provoke dialogue, and inspire action on critical environmental issues. By interweaving ecological concerns with cultural heritage and artistic expression, the exhibition underscores the interconnectedness of human activity and natural systems, encouraging a holistic view of Djerba’s past, present, and future.
In 2024, this decentralized exhibition, centered around the theme “Water X Salt,” uniquely explores the intricate relationships between natural heritage, cultural legacy, and contemporary artistic expression on the Mediterranean island. This year’s exhibition delves deep into these connections, using water and salt as themes and artistic materials.
Rooted in a Local Community
SEE DJERBA’s commitment to principles of open community, participation, and collective effort ensures that this is more than just an exhibition. This communal experience invites locals and visitors alike to engage actively with the art and its themes. The project emphasizes environmental responsibility and civic engagement, mirroring the sustainable practices that have allowed Djerba’s communities to thrive in harmony with their surroundings for generations.
A Tunisian Platform for New Media Art
SEE DJERBA 2024 is a unique platform for emerging and professional artists to produce and present their work in a richly contextual and publicly engaging environment. This innovative event offers artists an exceptional opportunity to create site-specific installations that respond directly to Djerba’s cultural, historical, and ecological fabric.
For emerging artists, particularly those from Tunisia, SEE DJERBA provides invaluable exposure and the chance to work alongside established international creators. Professional artists find in Djerba a canvas that challenges them to push the boundaries of their practice, engaging with themes of heritage, environment, and community in new and exciting ways. The project’s emphasis on public space and accessibility encourages artists to consider how their work interacts with diverse audiences, fostering a dynamic relationship between artist, artwork, and viewer.
Furthermore, SEE DJERBA’s collaborative nature, bringing together artists from various backgrounds and disciplines, cultivates a fertile ground for creative exchange and professional networking. This confluence of talent, ideas, and cultural contexts not only elevates the artists’ practices but also contributes to the broader dialogue on the role of contemporary art in addressing global challenges through local lenses.
Join us for three evenings of artistic expression, cultural exploration, and community engagement. SEE DJERBA 2024 promises to be a feast for the senses and food for thought, illuminating the intricate connections between land, sea, culture, and creativity that make Djerba extraordinary.