Ville de Calais (english edition)

This book is about a dune area near Calais, where between February 2015 and October 2016 a large informal settlement emerged, mostly built by migrants, and was eventually dismantled. I documented the entire process: from the first clashes and initial construction, through rapid growth and constant change, to demolition and partial rebuilding.

The book is structured and designed by Robin Uleman as a visual narrative exploring different aspects of the camp. You see how public squares were created, how shops and bakeries grew, and how the value of small plots of land changed over time. The story jumps back and forth in time, while the main thread steadily moves toward the inevitable end. Sequences of photographs reveal the camp’s development, blending both narrative and exemplary images.

To support rhythm and variation, Robin introduced shorter pages. They highlight sudden changes, such as the construction of a fence or a road, or focus on typical phenomena like cigarette trading, public bathhouses, or Bilal’s bakery. These shorter pages connect subjects organically and make the passage of time tangible.

The layout is “bottom-up”: images and texts emerge from the bottom of the page, reflecting how the settlement rose and fell. Text appears alongside the photos and moves with the rhythm of the visual story. There are no chapter titles, as the camp officially did not exist; everything begins without labeling.

The modest format allows both reading and viewing. Dating plays a central role: each photograph includes the day, date, and exact time, making the passage of time and the everyday reality of the camp palpable.

The book concludes with Landmarks, an index of key locations repeatedly photographed, allowing readers to trace the camp’s development. The entire work is protected by an American-style dust jacket made of sturdy canvas, providing a preview of the settlement’s rise on the outside and its decline on the inside.

Graphic Designer: Robin Uleman, Amsterdam
Lithographer: Marc Gijzen, image editing & digital lithography, Voorburg
Printer: NPN Drukkers, Breda
Binder: Patist, Den Dolder
Book Block Size (W x H x D in mm): 210 x 275 x 25
Extent: 320 pages
Edition: 1,400 copies