Copper Hunters is a research project during the YOUNG MASTERS program in July 2022, hosted by INTERFERENCE International Light Art Festival in Tunis, Tunisia.
Background:
Wandering through the bustling medina, it’s unavoidable to hear the crisp hammering sounds. Copper artisans work every day in front of their shops producing handmade copper ornaments. At night they go to ateliers to produce more complex work. It takes a minimum of around 2 hours to complete a small plate, the more complex work takes days and months to finish. Each line and shape is hand-made hammer by hammer, full of dedication and skills. A truly fascinating technique inherited through generations.
In Tunisia, this traditional copper crafting takes a long process, therefore a tough profession to get involved in. Nowadays fewer and fewer young people want to devote themselves to this practice. There are no institutions or academies to teach copper crafting. The old generation of craftsmen is saddened by the disappearance of this technique. It was precious to hear their stories and passion for copper crafting. By documenting this process, I found it important to draw more attention to this industry, and share the story in their own words.
The result of this research project was presented in the form of a Light & shadow installation with a mini-documentary.
Copper Hunters – Story of the Disappearing Craftsmanship in Tunisia
Mini-documentary directed by Sheng Jie Snow
Screened during Interference Light Art Festival 2022 in Tunisia
Duration: 6 minutes
Filming & Editing: Hmama Anis
Interpretation: Bouchaib Bochra
The Medina of Tunis, Tunisia 07.2022