Capturing the complexity of human emotions within places where life and death coexist daily—this is the challenge taken up by photographer Marin Driguez in his documentary project “Prendre soin” (Taking Care). Between light and shadow, public hospitals serve as a mirror of our humanity. The result of six years of immersion in Brussels’ public hospitals—the CHU Saint-Pierre, CHU Brugmann, and the Institut Jules Bordet—this work is now presented in two complementary formats: an exhibition in Brussels and a book published by Gallimard, supported by the City of Brussels.
A Visual Journey into the Heart of the Hospital
From March 15 to April 13, 2025, the Reset Atelier, located at Place Sainte-Gudule in Brussels, will host the “Prendre soin” exhibition. This 700 m² space transforms into a theater of humanity where each photograph tells a story. Through framed prints, projections, and excerpts from interviews inscribed on the walls, Marin Driguez offers a raw and sensitive dive into the daily lives of caregivers and patients. “These are scenes of life and death that make us fear the worst, yet they also convey a sense of gentleness—the solidarity in action, the care that saves,” notes philosopher Cynthia Fleury, who also wrote the book’s preface.
A Universal Testimony of Humanity
Beyond its aesthetic dimension, “Prendre soin” questions our relationship with care, the body, illness, and death. Marin Driguez’s photographic work captures the intensity of everyday gestures and the strength of the bonds forged within the hospital’s intimate setting. This world, both harsh and delicate, noisy and silent, reflects our society and its ability to care for its most vulnerable members.
More than a visual testimony, this exhibition serves as a reminder that care, in its most human dimension, is the foundation of our collective solidarity. An immersion not to be missed for anyone seeking a new perspective on this often-overlooked world.
A Book to Prolong the Experience
To extend this immersive experience, the book “Prendre soin”, published in Gallimard’s Hoëbeke collection, presents an alternation of photographs and testimonies. This dialogue between image and words unfolds in an elegant format (191 x 260 mm, 196 pages), where Magno Volume rigid, matte paper showcases the photographs, while sociological and philosophical texts are printed on sky-blue tinted bouffant paper. The minimalist cover features a single photograph stretching across both the front and back covers. Available for €35, the book will be released on March 13, 2025, coinciding with the exhibition’s opening.
Exhibition: Reset Atelier, Place Sainte-Gudule 5, 1000 Brussels
Dates: March 15 – April 13, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., free admission
Book: Prendre soin, Éditions Hoëbeke – Gallimard, ISBN: 9782073108050, Price: €35
