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Crack of Dawn, 2019-2023, Alexander Rączka and Anatole Abitbol, intervention in public space, paint, analog photography  (Paris, FR)


In the Porte du Point-du-Jour district, there’s a flood shelter, built in anticipation of the flooding of the district located on the banks of the Seine, 
quai du Point du Jour, where private TV channels and audio-visual production companies are based (TF1, groupe C8, Atlantis Television).
Situated downstream, this anti-cru shelter is a compact, massive architectural ensemble.

It stretches for around 150 metres, punctuated by thick reinforced concrete pylons.
Since the ‘70s, the site has been occupied by people who have made it their home.
With ingenious creativity, huts have been built from found materials on the sloping concrete slab between the concrete pylons.

Enjoying a certain independence and discretion, the inhabitants of the ‘Quai de la débrouille’ have been able to live independently for several generations, improving and caring for their carefully thought-out constructions.
In recent years, flooding of the Seine has become increasingly frequent.

Each time the water rises, the houses are partially submerged, due to their location, making access to the quay difficult.

The flood shelter, which is used more often than usual, is in the front line when the river rises. Waters carry away boards, televisions, fridges and personal belongings, leaving behind mud that seeps in everywhere.

In the summer of 2022, after partial fires, all the buildings on the Quai du Point-du-Jour disappeared in the flames.