Identiy Land

— KesselsKramer, Droog Lab.

What would a country look like with no national symbols or borders?

Year: 2012
Role: design research, graphic design
Together with: KesselsKramer, DroogLab
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That was the idea behind Identity Land, a project with KesselsKramer and Droog Lab. Taking inspiration from Belgium’s cultural plurality, this “post-national nation state” would be defined by multiplicity, openness and freedom – and against dogma and isolationism. A transparent flag, a mirrored coin, a fragmented land area split over six continents: these and many other elements would together visualise a nation identifiable only for refusing a fixed identity.

These made up the original installation at Z33 in Hasselt, Belgium, together with an online platform, where participants could ‘donate’ square metres to this new nation or download ‘tools’ to help spread the word. More recently, Identity Land was revived for a new exhibition reaffirming the importance of learning to live together, against global trends towards polarisation, increasing inequality and nationalism. Such ideas help remind us of the urgency of embracing difference and openness.