EYE OF DJERBA
Installation (2019)
Eye of Djerba is an original site specific interactive installation with light, sand, and projection created for the International Media Arts Biennial SEE DJERBA on the island of Djerba in Tunisia. The work asks viewers to look closely and consider the metaphorical worth of a single grain of sand within a global context. Viewers control a microscope camera to examine grains of sand from Djerba, enlarging the tiny grains to a human scale as they are projected on the facade of the St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Houmet Souk. The festival ran nightly from 29 Aug - 1 Sept and approximately 600 people interacted with the work during that time.
Eye of Djerba installed at the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Homet Souk, Tunisia
Visitors inspect sand from around the world with magnifying globes.
A microscope camera controlled by the viewer focuses on individual grains of sand from Djerba.
The microscopic image is transmuted to the center of the projection, allowing the audience to see what the viewer sees.
Each visitor is asked to choose one grain of sand from Djerba.
The chosen grain of sand is collected in a bottle for future animation by the artist.
Sand collected over three nights.
A visitor looking for his grain of sand.
Interacting with the piece is a social experience.
Eye of Djerba
Visitors enter into the garden of the church in small groups to preserve the intimacy of the experience.
Tunisian guides explain aspects of the work and escort visitors through the experience.
Eye of Djerba - detail.
Eye of Djerba - detail.
