Page - 88 - in Mobile Culture Studies - The Journal, Volume 2/2016

88 Mobile Culture Studies. The Journal 2 2o16 Tony Kushner | Lampedusa and the Migrant Crisis town – Archivo Storico Lampedusa. Its approach is to present a long term history of the island from its once impressive Bronze Age burial chambers through to today.104 The twenty first century migra- tion crisis is not denied, but it is illustrated through Paladino’s monumental sculp- ture rather than more direct representa- tion of the human misery witnessed by the islanders and experienced by the tens of thousands who have been channelled through Lampedusa or been washed up on its shores. In this setting of exquisitely reproduced historic maps of the island, there is a space for a panel on The King of Lampedusa which becomes a light-hearted and unchallenging way of telling the story of the Second World War and the fall of fascism.105 That the islands and islanders rich and varied past should not be lost through exclusive focus on the contem- porary migrant crisis is understandable.106 There is a danger, however, that the per- ceived needs of the tourist economy might lead to a process of deliberate forgetting of the migrant presence – rather than placing it as an integral part of a longer history of Lampedusa. Indeed, its geography has meant that it has been shaped by human movement (forced and voluntary) from pre-history onwards, making the twenty first century crisis less exceptional, if no less horrifying. Returning to Porto M, the careful, artistic re-crafting of the smashed up fragments of the boats (which contrasts with the rough display of the other artefacts) deliberately puts to the forefront the scale of the disasters that led to their creation. The fabric of the building and its location are central to its success but so are the everyday items on display made up literally of flotsam and jetsam. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, cooking oil, feeding bottles for babies and children’s clothes, and toys are prominent. These are items which are common to all parts of the world, regardless of local custom. Pots and pans and packets of dried food and cooking oil reflect basic human requirements to cook for oneself. The fishing nets of water bottles reflect an even more basic requirement, appallingly not enough for so many that would die of thirst.107 Sea damaged Korans and Bibles reveal a glimpse into spiritual life and an indication of what ‘non-essential’ items were taken amongst the handful that space would allow. The ubiquitous 104 Antonio Taranto, Breve Histoire De Lampedusa (Lampedusa: Archivo Storico Lampedusa, 2015). 105 Author visit, 6 August 2015. 106 Author discussion with manager of Archivo Storico Lampedusa, 6 August 2015. 107 Author visit, 6 August 2015. Fig. 20: The view from Porto M, Photo: Tony Kushner