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International borders by their very nature, represent the very limits of the laws, customs and identity of a country. Borders themselves, are infinitely thin, and infinitely high. They are a mathematical abstraction imposed onto a very non mathematical world. The area in and around a border becomes a contradiction. It reads as one place- culturally, socially and often functions as one place, but the invisible lines that are borders are there and manifest themselves physically to different extents. They are simultaneously an edge and a centre and as such are an absurdity. An absurdity of superimposing theoretical concepts onto the physical world.
For a community that existed before a border was drawn, the consequences of a divide can almost seem comical to the outside observer, but can result in a complete breakdown of connectivity and centrality. There are many real-world examples throughout the world such as North and South Korea, Stanstead, Derby Line and so on, where attempts to make the abstract reality have had far-reaching and sometimes destructive consequences for the territory that the border divides.
This thesis focuses on the idea of the divide between two places. Particularly, a divide that has been imposed on that which was once whole. What are the consequences of fracturing a whole into many? What are the long term issues that arise as a result? International borders are a very strong, yet absurd example of dividing territory into parts. There are many examples of communities that have been divided as a result of treaties, wars, or even as simple as a policy change towards border security. It begs the question as to why what physically appears as whole, is divided along lines in a less tangible realm. What are the physical and social consequences of a divide upon the community? Can we stitch the divided landscape back together or is its very division a sheer consequence of being a frontier for each country? The thesis also questions the concept of nationalism, culture and ideology and relevance to a community that exists on the fringes of a nation yet simultaneously occupies a central place in the landscape. |
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