On the Edge (2009-10)

On the Edge explores the topic of boundaries in Washington, DC through photos taken while walking along the streets that divide Washington from Maryland and Virginia. The aim of the project is to investigate the ways in which boundaries function in contemporary society.

Washington is the politically constructed capital of the U.S. that was created with the premise that it should be distinct from the other states. The border of DC is clearly an artificial construction as it is shaped like a square on three sides with the Potomac River on the fourth side. The self-conscious organisation of the city is also evident in the way DC is divided into four quadrants: Northwest (NW), Northeast (NE), Southeast (SE) and Southwest (SW).

When walking along the border, multiple boundaries became visible. On a basic level, boundaries play a role in everyday life because municipalities determine educational systems, waste collection and street cleaning. However, in addition to the administrative ones, there are boundaries that structure how residents organise and perform their daily routines. Examining these subtle boundaries raises questions and forces us to think about the importance of location, transportation, consumption, leisure, and ecology.

The images will be displayed as diptychs and triptychs.