[Image by Adam E. Anderson]
Zones of contention, borders, and transboundary parks have continued to be an interest of mine. Recent rising tensions and legislature in regard to the US/Mexican border and illegal immigration render this particular zone a terribly awesome area of conflict.
The idea of reinforcing the border with 2,000 miles of physical barrier seems an impossible idea, and futile. By the time one generation feels they have the solution, and a construction is implemented, the next generation comes to power, equipped with their own ideologies, new circumstances, and technologies.
[Image by Adam E. Anderson]
I wanted to share this hybrid drawing study I've been working on that aims to construct a narrative of what this border zone might look like after several generation’s failed attempts to construct what I am calling “The Great Wall of America."
During the initial constructed perspective process, the narrative of the place began to develop. I saw “new and improved” additions being made to pre-existing wall structures. “Immigration Sectors” were added to cantilevering platforms and “Great Towers of Future Energy Harvesting” replaced the cantilever all together in some sections.
The material might also hint at ownership and transitions of power. Perhaps a militant regime constructed the original wall platforms, then, discovering a natural energy source in the area the wall became privatized and massive energy harvesting structures were erected.
[Image by Adam E. Anderson]
The first drawing's intention was to portray a period of transition and lawlessness. This marks the beginning of a new frontier where few permanent inhabitants exist and power struggles over resources make for a hostile environment. The following two depict an evolution of that transition, homesteading and inhabitation.
The entourage was carefully chosen to depict how the wall becomes inhabited and ideas of culture, but, some of this was intentionally left ambiguous, so that each viewer can construct their own narrative with the characters and components provided. This I hope might challenge each of us to reflect on the arguable relevancy of the contemporary idea of "border." Furthermore, is there a process for landscape intervention that can be deployed on all zones of contention that might resolve conflict?
Update
on 2011-02-25 01:03 by Adam E. Anderson
Nice read elaborating on our border discussion here over at dpr-barcelona.