Haus N Athen presents Slumber Poppies by Emilie Pitoiset

Slumber Poppies begins quietly, with photographs of Japanese Salarymen drifting through their after-work routines — asleep on benches, lingering in late-night bars, or caught in moments of total exhaustion. These images hint at the quiet toll of social pressure and repetition, connecting to Emilie Pitoiset’s interest in bodies pushed to the edge, caught in roles they never chose. But this subtle fatigue unfolds in a space filled with strange, oversized elements: fairy tale book covers turned into paintings, piles of books stacked with miniatures of DHL boxes, and close-up images of food and stuffed toys that feel both playful and slightly off.

Most striking are the giant Mickey Mouse figures glued to the columns, staring out across the exhibition like silent judges. As we move through the space, their eyes seem to follow — asking whether the guilt lies in being part of this system, or simply in watching it. The surreal setup doesn’t just frame the photographs; it overwhelms them, like a dream that’s grown too loud.