The Strait Project

Yto Barrada
1999-2003
C Prints

"The Strait Project" by Yto Barrada intricately weaves the historical and socio-political threads of the Strait of Gibraltar. This channel of water, an intersection of continents, has long been a nexus of cultural exchange, conflict, and migration.

Post-colonial dynamics and the Schengen Agreement have amplified its role as a passage, often perilous, for those seeking new horizons. Barrada's lens delves into the heart of Tangier, her native city, capturing the palpable undercurrent of escape, a theme rarely broached in local discourse. Her work unravels the fabric of a society's collective yearning to depart, despite the known dangers, embodying the unsung stories and the weight of unfulfilled voyages.

Exhibited globally, "The Strait Project" transcends geographical confines, mirroring universal narratives of aspiration and belonging, shedding light on the enduring human saga of migration and the quest for a better life.