This book gather the eleven poems from the short film What is the residue left from setting a black puddle on fire? by Nesrine Salem (2023). The texts are published in their original english versions, as well as in their translation into algerian dialect and french. The original version of each monologue is printed on the front of a folded page inside which are placed two cards, one for each translation. The binding makes polyglossia visible and allows the three languages to coexist, to be manipulated freely, making the reading experience more immersive.
Nesrine Salem is a visual artist and writer. Through her visual and written polyglossia, she celebrates the plurality of her identity and highlights her research about intergenerational trauma, tokenism and mourning practices. These subjects come together in her first short film “What is the residue left from setting a black puddle on fire?” (2023).