Mare Nostrum, Al Motawaset, 2022

“Mare Nostrum” is a bilingual book in English and Arabic that sheds light on the Mediterranean Immigration Crisis. Containing images of boats and quotes from migrants who survived the perilous journey across the Mediterranean. The boats’ images are derived from drawings of boats on pottery from predynastic Egypt, reflecting the journey’s ceremonial significance in ancient times. The book’s unique feature is its interactive nature, allowing viewers to interact with the immigrant’s journey. The brass boat bases fit into the laser-cut circles on each section, enabling viewers to move the boats in multiple combinations, echoing the immigrants’ journey.

Cloth-covered box. Leather wrapping connected to brass cut pieces. Silk-screened book cloth, inkjet printed text, handmade paper, linen thread, book board, museum board, laser-cut Canson paper, Coptic binding, and five brass boats in a compartment.

Box size: 5 x 14.5 x 2.5 inches closed, 14.5 x 10 x 2.5 inches opened.

Book size: 4.5 x 9 x 1.5inches,

Edition of 50, and five proofs.