Passes is a collaborative artwork between Jenny Polak and Dread Scott that focuses on the intersections of contemporary immigration from North Africa and the Middle East to Europe, with the legacy of forced migrations of the slave trade. It draws on Marseille’s role as a fulcrum for both forms of exchange. Research for the project has involved visiting people and places of the 21st century’s northward migration and examining historic records of leading 19th century Marseilles people-trader MM. Regis. We highlight the personal and cultural costs and benefits of ‘papers’ in migrants’ lives. It is an ongoing project and these are some initial prints from the project.
2019