El Dorado by Melissa Arras

A collection of works by London-based photographer Melissa Arras.

This work poetically and emotionally explores the daily plight of refugees and migrants living in temporary camps in Calais, struggling to find comfort after a perilous journey to the north coast of France. It powerfully depicts the strength and perseverance of Over the course of two years, from November 2014 to December 2016, Melissa documented the arrival of refugees and migrants in the city of Calais in northern France, with the ultimate goal of reaching England. The crisis continues, and 300 to 600 migrants are gathering in temporary encampments at this location near the narrowest part of the Strait of Dover (which separates Britain from mainland Europe).

camp is just the middle ground, where life is interrupted while people seek protection and await bureaucratic approval to continue their journey in a legal sense. The settlement is under constant threat of being destroyed by French authorities, and violent contact with the police has created an ongoing struggle in Calais. In her film, Melissa looks to her intimate moments after building her rapport, challenging popular perceptions of refugees and migrants. This is a response to the lack of awareness and intimacy that fosters negative stereotypes and racism.

A minimum of £1 from each sale of this book will be donated to the charity Help Refugees. They help refugees in Europe and the Middle East by ensuring that vital humanitarian aid reaches them when they are needed most. Mobilize quickly to find the most effective local organizations and find out what you need to help people fleeing war, persecution and poverty – be it financial or in-kind. Either that or be a volunteer. Please support the campaign and consider making a donation at helprefugees.org.

(excerpt from the publisher's text)

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Title: El Dorado
Artist: Melissa Arras
Overlapse, 2019
Softcover, interior tip-in + A3 poster
186 x 230 mm, 64 pages
ISBN: 9781999446826¥3,200 + tax