A ‘Fata Morgana’ is a particular form of mirage, visible on a narrow band just above the horizon in specific atmospheric conditions. This phenomenon induces the viewer to see objects that don’t exist or that appear very different from what they are in reality. The project tackles this boundary line, somewhere between the fictional and tangible dimensions, against the landscapes of Dubai and the Arab Emirates, which have always maintained an illusory and imaginative spirit. It is here that, from the sixties until now, an uncommon urban development has taken place. A territory that was housing few fishermen villages right behind the desert was transformed in a global forward-looking destination. With time, this evolution has brought an enormous flow of new residents (many of whom come from developing countries) fascinated by the dream of a new wealthy life. Expats that reside and work temporarily in the country now represent 90% of the whole population. The hotel is at times a point of departure and arrival while at other times, it is the only place from which to observe the external world. It becomes a metaphor for a particular way of living and interacting within a community and in a territory that is constantly in progress. What remains from the illusions of a first sight is a collection of memories which, like awakening from a long dream, briefly blend and overlap before making way for the disenchantment felt towards the present.
This project has been selected for: - Lucie Photo Pook Prize 2023 - Prix Maison Blanche 2023, Photo Marseille - Premio FE+SK 2023, Fotografia Europea (Reggio Emilia) - Urbanautica Institute Awards 2022 (categoria Anthropology & Territories)
