Chile Chico et le quartier Versailles is a book that defies conventional structure: no table of contents, no fixed protocol, no linear narrative. Instead, it offers a compelling, visual journey of discovery through everyday life in a neighbourhood in Brussels North.
The project is based on the stories of the Chilean community that fled to Neder-Over-Heembeek, in the heart of the Versailles neighbourhood, in the 1970s. Together with local residents, we first created a podcast, followed by an exhibition based on their stories. This resulted in a rich collection of images, supplemented with recent creations.
Object:
Softcover art book
Format:
165x240mm
Material:
Cover: Arena Rough Natural 300gsm
Interior: Arena Rough Natural 90 gsm
Printing:
Cover: Recto Quadri + Recto hot foil 799 (glossy transparent)
Interior: recto/verso Quadri LE-UV
Finishing:
Threadless binding
Graphic designer Amina Saâdi took this collection of images, texts and documents and turned it into her playground. She took everything apart and reassembled it into fresh interpretations that deliberately remain incomplete – just like memories are.
Chile Chico et le quartier Versailles brings these fragments of stories and memories together. They appear in pieces, never as a whole, and that is precisely where the power and meaning of the book lies.
Chile Chico et le quartier Versailles has 220 pages, is self-published and appears in a small print run. Price: €29.
Authors:
Ema Tytgat & Amina Saâdi
Editorial coordination:
Ema Tytgat
Graphic design:
Amina Saâdi
Printing:
Buroform
