Time melts even concrete

by Elma Riza

Series of screen prints

30×50 cm

Tunis-Berlin, 2025

Time melts even concrete. Inspired by an Arabic proverb (originally “Time melts even marble”). The idea behind this new formulation echoes the disappearance of an iconic building in certain cities. The building in question here, the Hôtel du Lac, is a brutalist architecture built in Tunis in the 1970s by Raffaele Contigiani and has become an emblem of the city. Unfortunately, it will not be renovated, but demolished and replaced by a luxury hotel. This story is widespread, and this project is a tribute to these historic buildings, which are works of art and are gradually disappearing without a trace.

This building is also part of my history; I have known it since my childhood, which is why I chose it over another. I also appreciate its artistic value, its clear and unique forms.

The screen print series consists of different variations and compositions of four elements that I extracted from the building: its silhouette and three details of the façade. Like an infinite reconstruction.