The workshop « In the Urban Body, » directed by artist Halida Boughriet at the École des Beaux-Arts of Toulon, was conceived as a necessary initiative for first-year students. Over three days, this workshop allowed participants to explore the interactions between urban space and individual identities, integrating theoretical concepts derived from Édouard Glissant’s thought, notably the distinction between globalization and mondialité (worldliness).

The aim of the workshop was to introduce students to artistic performance as a means of exploring and expressing their unique identities within public space. Emphasizing photography as a medium of expression, students were encouraged to engage in a dialogue with their immediate environment. The pedagogical approach highlighted the art of gesture, gender identity, and social norms—key elements in constructing identity within the urban context.

Drawing on Glissant’s ideas, the workshop fostered a deep reflection on creolization and cultural mixing, providing a framework for students to consider their own identities within a plural society. This perspective enriched discussions on how identities are woven through human interactions, particularly in urban settings often perceived as spaces of tension and encounters. At the intersection of the tangible and the imaginary, this experience offered a platform where each individual’s uniqueness could be expressed, challenged, and nourished by the complex dynamics of the city.

The workshop unfolded over three days of practical and theoretical activities. The first day laid the groundwork for this exploration. After an introduction to the workshop’s objectives, students ventured into the streets of Toulon, camera in hand, seeking images that resonate with their identities. This photographic walk was not merely about capturing the environment; it became a vibrant dialogue between public space and intimacy, where each chosen location turned into an active participant in their personal narrative.