(From Studio Orta) “The Antarctic Village is an ephemeral encampment that references the plight of those struggling to transverse borders and to gain the freedom of movement necessary to escape conflict or natural disasters. The village is composed of Dome Dwellings, hand-made tents assembled with sections of flags from countries around the world, along with extensions of clothes and gloves symbolising the multiplicity and diversity of people. The flags and fragments of clothes are silkscreen printed with motifs referencing the UN Declaration for Human Rights and an article the artists propose to amend: Art. 13.3
Through the symbolic act of founding the Anatrctic Village, the artists reflect on the ideology that embodies Antarctica in particular the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. The Antarctic Treaty, which now counts 50 signatory nations, has preserved Antarctica as an area for scientific research with common pacific aims to protect the environment and to encourage international cooperation. Antarctica embodies utopia: a continent whose extreme climate imposes mutual aid and solidarity, freedom of research, of sharing, and collaboration for the good of the planet. It is a place where the immaculate whiteness contains all the wishes of humanity to spread a message of hope for future generations.”
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