“I’m Not Here” / 2020
This project was never planned in advance—it came together in the most spontaneous way. I went to Taghazout alone for the first time, unsure of what I would find or how long I’d stay. Not long after arriving, I met two German guys, Mark and Julius. We clicked immediately, sharing conversations that naturally shifted from light-hearted to deeper reflections. After a few days, we thought, why not merge our plans? Instead of doing our own separate trips, we decided to rent a car and embark on a ten-day road trip along the south coast of Morocco.
That’s how "I’m Not Here" was born. The concept of absence—of not feeling fully present—became the thread that tied it all together. As we drove through the rugged landscapes of southern Morocco, I began capturing moments that reflected this sense of disconnection, not just in others, but in myself. The feeling of being physically there but mentally elsewhere. It’s something that resonates with many of us, especially in this digital age, where distractions are endless and true presence feels fleeting.
What struck me most during this journey was how the natural beauty of Morocco contrasted with the internal absence I was experiencing. The landscapes were vast and vibrant, but there was an undeniable sense of distraction, as if we were always looking for something else. Every photo I took felt like a conversation between the outer world and our inner states.
This road trip was more than just a literal journey—it mirrored an internal one. We were navigating through moments of absence, trying to find a deeper connection with ourselves, with each other, and with the places we were moving through.
In the end, "I’m Not Here" became a reflection of the modern struggle to find authenticity and presence in a world that constantly pulls us away. I hope that through these images, viewers are invited to reflect on their own experiences of absence and presence and the quiet search for something real amidst all the noise.
That’s how "I’m Not Here" was born. The concept of absence—of not feeling fully present—became the thread that tied it all together. As we drove through the rugged landscapes of southern Morocco, I began capturing moments that reflected this sense of disconnection, not just in others, but in myself. The feeling of being physically there but mentally elsewhere. It’s something that resonates with many of us, especially in this digital age, where distractions are endless and true presence feels fleeting.
What struck me most during this journey was how the natural beauty of Morocco contrasted with the internal absence I was experiencing. The landscapes were vast and vibrant, but there was an undeniable sense of distraction, as if we were always looking for something else. Every photo I took felt like a conversation between the outer world and our inner states.
This road trip was more than just a literal journey—it mirrored an internal one. We were navigating through moments of absence, trying to find a deeper connection with ourselves, with each other, and with the places we were moving through.
In the end, "I’m Not Here" became a reflection of the modern struggle to find authenticity and presence in a world that constantly pulls us away. I hope that through these images, viewers are invited to reflect on their own experiences of absence and presence and the quiet search for something real amidst all the noise.
