Realistically this work makes me think about poverty, because I’m a Brazilian and is kind of common to see architectural materials patchwork “building” what poor people could call home - it’s the Brazilian famous favela. (Shantytown?)

In the other hand, makes me think about a futuristic no frontiers life. Not in a nomad way, but in the dreamer way of no countries, no Governmental limits, this sort of thing…

But waking up of this web “Esperanto” dream, I see another future: the hard one. Where this artwork shows the possible results of the war ‘humans against nature’. And only one freezing poor world.

Please, let me know what do you think about it! (And sorry, because my English is not that good!)

Artwork
Antarctic Village - No Borders, ephemeral installation in Antarctica
Lucy & Jorge Orta, 2007

Materials:
50 Dome dwellings, hand stitched with nation flags, fragments of clothing, webbing, silkscreen print

Exhibition history:
2007 Antarctica; 2007 Biennial al Fin del Mundo

Concept:
From February-March 2007, Lucy + Jorge Orta installed ‘Antarctic Village’ in Antarctica, traveling from Buenos Aires aboard the Hercules KC130 flight on an incredible journey. Taking place during the Austral summer, the ephemeral installation coincided with the last of the scientific expeditions before the winter months, before the ice mass becomes too thick to traverse. Aided by the logistical crew and scientists stationed at the Marambio Antarctic Base situated on the Seymour-Marambio Island, (64°14’S 56°37’W), Jorge Orta scouted the continent by helicopter, searching for different locations for the temporary encampment of their 50 dome-shaped dwellings. Antarctic Village is a symbol of the plight of those struggling to transverse borders and to gain the freedom of movement necessary to escape political and social conflict. Dotted along the ice, the tents formed a settlement reminiscent of the images of refugee camps we see so often reported about on our television screens and newspapers. Physically the installation Antarctic Village is emblematic of Ortas’ body of work, composed of what could be termed modular architecture and reflecting qualities of nomadic shelters and campsites. The dwellings themselves are hand stitched together by a traditional tent maker with sections of flags from countries around the world, along with extensions of clothes and gloves, symbolizing the multiplicity and diversity of people. Here the arm of face-less white-collar worker’s shirt hangs, there the sleeve of a children’s sweater. Together the flags and dissected clothes emblazoned with silkscreen motifs referencing the UN Declaration for Human Rights make for a physical embodiment of a 'Global Village'.

About Lucy and Jorge:
Founded in 1991, Studio-Orta based in Paris operates as a research and development studio for artworks and limited editions by contemporary artists Lucy Orta and Jorge Orta and an administrative bureau for their exhibitions and commissions.
The two artists work in partnership sharing a common research directive, and independently on special projects. This trilogy offers a unique diversity to Studio-Orta team of curators, designers, architects, engineers, musicians, artisans, fabricators, production assistants and technicians.
Employing a range of techniques from sculpture, object making, couture, painting, printing, light projections and communication strategies such as performance, interventions and public events, the team investigate crucial themes of the world today: the community and the social link, dwelling and habitat, nomadism and mobility, sustainable development, ecology and recycling.