Shoreline Archaeology: Unearthing Tradition

This series was born on the west coast of Korea, in the small village of Ganwolam, almost by accident. After several hours on the road, we were heading toward what was supposed to be the Korean Mont-Saint-Michel, a temple that becomes completely isolated when the tide rises. But, as often happens when expectations are sky-high, the temple turned out to be far less spectacular than we had imagined. It felt like the whole day was going to be a failure…when suddenly we stumbled upon something far more interesting.

It turns out that those dark, cold waters—seemingly dull at first glance—were hiding a secret: a tradition that only reveals itself when the tide goes out. Because when the seabed emerges, half a dozen women head out every day, rake and bucket in hand, searching for clams and other shellfish to flavor their meals. They don’t do it for work, but out of habit; a small, almost playful ritual. Like true archaeologists, they spend the afternoon digging and chatting, with remarkable patience. And the real treasure goes far beyond a full bucket: it lies in keeping this practice alive, in unearthing, day after day, a tradition that might otherwise remain buried forever. This collection is dedicated to them.