Adrian Melis Cuba / Spain, b. 1985
The Smiler, 2022
Video H264, 4K, stereo, color.
11 min.
Edition of 5 plus 1 artist's proof
“The Smiler” focuses on the idea of construction and destruction of an imaginary ideal scenario to inhabit created by someone without any place. The title is an invented word that...
“The Smiler” focuses on the idea of construction and destruction of an imaginary ideal scenario to inhabit created by someone without any place. The title is an invented word that refers to someone whose job is “to smile”. The video portrays a man from Senegal who lives in displacement due to the harsh migrations policies of Europe. This person performs holding a forced smile for an undefined amount of time. With his look focused permanently on the camera lens, his face features start experimenting an incongruent mix of emotions which generate a feeling of unease and exhaustion.