Kader Attia, French, born 1970
La Mer Morte (The Dead Sea), 2015
This work by Kader Attia depicts the dangers and fate that many migrants face. The name La Mer Morte means the dead sea in English, referring to the risks that migrants face while trying to cross oceans. The various blue colored clothing is to symbolize the ocean that many migrants try to cross. In this piece Attia has used jeans and t-shirts worn by refugees, migrants, and city-dwellers. The clothing coming from migrants is to pay homage to those that have lost their lives trying to migrate to Europe. Attia hopes to remind people how dangerous it can be for those who are trying to create a better life. This installation is located in the The Warmth of Other Suns exhibit in New York that highlights experiences and perceptions of migration and the worldwide refugee crisis. Label by Olivia Falb
This installation addresses the topic of global migration, serving as a memorial to those who have been displaced from their homes due to either climate change or other circumstances. Shoes, jeans, and other articles of clothing are strewn across the floor in ranging hues of blue that mimic the varying tones of the sea. The spacing between the articles of clothing appears to mimic that of a wave, initially spaced dispersedly then becoming tightly packed. This spacing appears to mimic the patterns of migration from rural to urban areas. The sheer number of clothes draws attention to the number of individuals who have been displaced and forced to travel across the ocean. Ultimately, this installation conveys a sense of great loss and emptiness, as the empty clothing alludes to the loss of life on this journey across borders. Label by Grace Moser