• Take my body to Lampedusa

    People on the move still choose one of the deadliest passages in the world, the Mediterranean Sea.
    During their long journey, many stories need to be told and the responsible faces need to be shown, and yet it seems we are all just a small boat that floats on a big wave in the big sea and carries our stories, feelings and a part of our soul.

    Take my body to Lampedusa is about the people who experienced torture, hostility and racism and yet found compassion, art and friendship in this transient microcosm, the Sea Watch 4.
  • Fuel spilled into the water after an illegal pushback by the so-called Libyan Coast Guard.
  • “When I saw the water that night I was scared, but I had no choice. I was ready to lose my life on the sea. I already have been to hell and there was no way I was going back there.”
  • The tarp entrance is the only way for the passengers to have some privacy and sleep. During the night the heat lamps get switched on and create this almost disturbing red-light atmosphere.
  • People on the move still choose one of the deadliest passages, the mediterranean sea. They experienced torture, hostility and racism and yet found compassion, art and friendship on this small microorganism the Sea Watch 4.
  • "In Libya, we black people are not human beings. We are not even considered animals, in fact we are nothing to them."
  • Passengers celebrate with music and dancing after reaching a safe port. NGO boats and their passengers often have to wait a very long time to reach a safe harbor, which can be very traumatizing and disturbing for everyone on the boat.
  • People on the move still choose one of the deadliest passages, the mediterranean sea. They experienced torture, hostility and racism and yet found compassion, art and friendship on this small microorganism the Sea Watch 4.
  • A common method of torture is to let melted plastic slowly drip onto the skin. These are the scars of such torture.
  • After each rescue operation, the empty boats are marked with a special spray sign indicating whether the passengers have been successfully rescued or not.
  • The Mediterranean is a very unpredictable, wild and deadly sea, and yet many people choose this route to escape torture and slavery.
  • People on the move still choose one of the deadliest passages, the mediterranean sea. They experienced torture, hostility and racism and yet found compassion, art and friendship on this small microorganism the Sea Watch 4.
  • All passengers have successfully disembarked from the SW4 in Augusta. A moment ago this place was full of people, now it is empty and silent, and only the remains indicate their presence before.
  • Muhammed is from Egypt and is an artist. He usually paints on glassware and during his time on the SW4 he painted his art on the arms of passengers and crew members.
  • Muhammed is from Agypt and an artist. He usually draws on glassware and while being on the SW4 he used to draw his art on passengers and crew members arms.
  • "When I saw the Seawatch boats, I found the smile I had lost years ago, I cried with joy and I thank God."
  • A passenger after rescue that wants to remain anonymous. *** People on the move still choose one of the deadliest passages, the mediterranean sea. They experienced torture, hostility and racism and yet found compassion, art and friendship on this small microorganism the Sea Watch 4.
  • While patrolling the sea and being on lookout crew members spent hours outside and look for boats in distress with binoculars. Hydration and sunscreen is essential.
  • Some passengers already have been on the SW4 for 2 weeks and try to keep by hygiene as best as possible. This means they have to wash their few clothes by hand and hang them up wherever they can.
  • While waiting for a port of safety the passengers can get very frustrated since they can already see the land but yet can't reach it.
  • During the night and dawn passengers like to listen to night prayers. Despite this very extraordinary situation religion will always be a set part without fail.
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