Imane Djamil, KOZ Collective

Imane Djamil is a Casablanca-based artist whose practice spans photography, storytelling, and creative writing. 80 Miles to Atlantis is the second series of Djamil’s to examine the historic coastline of Tarfaya. The Saharan city sits across the sea from the Canary Islands, where the mythical city of Atlantis is thought to be located. While Atlantis was submerged by the ocean after falling out of favor with the Gods, Tarfaya’s coastline is being engulfed by sand, not for offending a higher entity, but due to natural phenomena and the State’s apathy towards preserving its cultural heritage. The abandonment of this city and its heritage is further highlighted by the desertification of the Sahara, prompting populations to flee to urban areas. Djamil offers a fresh perspective and stands out for her use of a ‘docu-drama’ style to better express the reality she sees through her lens.

Djamil’s work has been exhibited at the Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, and Casa Arabe, Madrid as part of PHotoESPAÑA’s official selection. In 2021, she was awarded the New Narratives in Environmental Photography prize by Fisheye Magazine and La Gacilly Photo Festival for her series 80 Miles to Atlantis.