You at Night

Collaboration with the youngsters at CEMO, Brussels

Series of 12 cyanotypes printed on silk, black and white images and fanzines by the youngsters at CEMO, AI generated images video, color photographs and a catalog.

How can one exist without a place to call home?

How important is space for emotional connections?

This photographic series, created by Maria Baoli in partnership with young people from the CEMO's KAP programme, began in 2022 and delves into the complex realities of young people who are experiencing disruption and/or homelessness. Often faced with sudden upheavals, these young people gradually lose their bearings and slide inexorably into a precarious existence.

This reality has been exacerbated since the Covid health crisis, which has worsened mental health problems, leading to a significant increase in psychological disorders among this vulnerable population. They embody a sense of not belonging, displacement, and the search for a home on the margins of contemporary society. They also show the image of a resilient youth who, despite everything, are trying to build a positive future for themselves. Maria Baoli invites the public to reflect on these trajectories marked by upheaval, evoking the universal desire for a safe space in which to grow, free from fear and anxiety.

To what extent are bodies, homes and institutions reliable? By highlighting their stories, challenges and dreams, this photographic series aims to give a voice to those who are often marginalised and to spark a constructive dialogue around issues of identity and resilience, in the hope of creating a more inclusive and supportive world where everyone can find their place.