The Alliance Française in Djerba is hosting "RÉSILIENCE(S)", a photographic exhibition by Pierre Gassin, from October 14 to November 29, 2026. The exhibition features 30 black and white photographs showcasing everyday life scenes in Southern Tunisia. Gassin's work focuses on resilience and the joy of living, captured through images of children, horses, and traditional sailing vessels. The exhibition's subtitle, "Some drops of happiness for an ocean of life," reflects the artist's intention to highlight the beauty of everyday moments.
"RÉSILIENCE(S)" is the fourth and final installment of Gassin's photographic tetralogy, "Archéologie du présent". The series explores different themes, with each installment focusing on a unique aspect of Southern Tunisia. The previous installments, "Embarquement Sfax", "Cercinae", and "Berbérités", examined the region's history, light, and Berber heritage. With "RÉSILIENCE(S)", Gassin shifts his focus to the living, rather than ruins, showcasing the region's vibrant culture and traditions.
Pierre Gassin, a photographer based in Kerkennah, has a long history of artistic and educational endeavors. He taught at the University of Paris VIII and directed the IRIS center for professional training and art gallery in Paris for 22 years. In Tunisia, he spent eight years in Sfax, where he created the Palais de la Photographie and organized collective exhibitions with young photographers. Gassin has also contributed significantly to the magazine 1001 Tunisie, providing 90% of its photographs.
The exhibition "RÉSILIENCE(S)" will be followed by a second event, "Correspondances Insulaires", scheduled from December 2, 2026, to January 10, 2027. For this event, Gassin will present a selection of his photographs, and two Kerkennah-based artists, Souheila Arous and Salah Ben Amor, will respond with their own paintings. The organizers promise a more comprehensive program for this second stage.
Gassin's photographic journey has taken him to various locations in Tunisia, including Sfax, Carthage, La Manouba, and Ramla. His work has been exhibited at the Rencontres internationales de Ghar el Melh in 2025. The Alliance Française in Djerba had previously hosted his exhibition "Berbérités" in autumn 2025. Gassin is also the president of the Centre Photographique du Maghreb and has opened the Galerie Gassin in Kerkennah.
In addition to his photographic work, Gassin has collaborated on various publications, including "Felouques", a collection of poems by Ahlem Ghayaza, and "Dar & Borj", a 300-page book edited by Aida Zahaf. He is currently working on the re-edition of "Tunisiennes" and "Saveurs des Terroirs" and "Infiniment Khroumirie". Gassin has recently launched his websites pierregassin.com and pierokif.com.
The exhibition "RÉSILIENCE(S)" was inaugurated on October 14, 2026, and will run until November 29, 2026, at the Alliance Française in Djerba. A vernissage event was held on the opening day from 6 pm to 8 pm. The exhibition provides a unique opportunity to experience Gassin's photographic vision and explore the culture and traditions of Southern Tunisia.
Key points
- Pierre Gassin's photographic tetralogy, "Archéologie du présent", concludes with "RÉSILIENCE(S)", showcasing everyday life scenes in Southern Tunisia.
- The exhibition "RÉSILIENCE(S)" features 30 black and white photographs, highlighting the region's vibrant culture and traditions.
- A second event, "Correspondances Insulaires", will follow the exhibition, featuring Gassin's photographs alongside paintings by two Kerkennah-based artists.
