According to Jacques Lacan’s theory of the mirror stage, this crucial moment, which occurs around the age of 6 months, plays a fundamental role in the child’s identification with their own body. By seeing themselves in a mirror, the child begins to perceive an external image that becomes the starting point for constructing their identity—their « I. » This stage thus marks the beginning of their existence as a social subject.
For this process to fully unfold, the presence of the other is essential. How could one say « I » without « the other » to define oneself against or in relation to? From its earliest formations, the « I » is embedded in a social relationship, shaped and delineated through constant dialogue with others. This interaction forms the very foundation of identity, which remains in a state of perpetual construction.
In March 2020, with the spread of Covid-19 and the enforcement of the first lockdown, we were compelled to isolate, staying home for weeks—sometimes with close family members, sometimes alone, or even in challenging environments. This forced pause in academic, social, and professional life led to an increase in depressive symptoms and a rise in suicide cases, particularly among young people.
In May 2020, as I lived through this period of isolation, I experienced it as a direct confrontation with myself. Being confined with my immediate surroundings—this « first environment, » this original « other » that we encounter from birth—brought me back to the origins of my identity’s construction. But this time, the mirror of solitude offered me a perspective shaped by experience and social awareness.
It was from this reflection that I undertook this photographic series. I asked myself two fundamental questions: « Can a human being still recognize themselves when looking in the mirror? » and « As an adult, is it possible to redefine oneself by facing one’s own reflection? »
Through these images, I explore the idea of a return to origins, while highlighting the possibility of rediscovering oneself. The mirror thus becomes a tool, a witness, and perhaps a gateway to a new construction of identity.
Camera: Olympus OM-10 // 50mm.
Film: Kodak ColorPlus 200 ASA.
Location: Gabès, Tunisia.
Date : May 2020.
This project was exhibited in :
– Tremplin Jeunes Talents Contemporains, LeStudio, Paris, France, 2021.
– Tell your story, B’sarya for Arts, Alexandria, Egypt, 2022.
Aya Chriki 