Territorial boundaries are often immaterial, yet this aspect significantly influences transboundary disputes and conflicts linked to emerging natural resources. The project focuses on the limitations of the disputed political boundaries by questioning the political notion that materials are static. Through a tangible intervention, the new boundary challenges these political norms and highlights the underlying issues within the disputes.
Migingo Island, an islet on Lake Victoria, Kenya, right by the border with Uganda, has been at the center of a dispute between the two countries for decades. This islet, home to many fishermen, ranks among the most densely populated places in the world. The Nile Perch, a vital fish found around Migingo, is among the primary fish exports in East Africa. The rich fish stock and the unclear border between the two nations have led to conflicts and challenging settlements.
The intervention features a buoyant loop encircling the islet, constructed with papyrus mats filled with Khili-rooted soil to provide buoyancy, which are gently moved by the Lake Victoria currents to confront the unseen disputed boundaries established by the two countries. This loop introduces a natural approach to defining boundaries and fostering a harmonious relationship with the water, rather than relying on political measures that ignore the realities of material instability. The loop also incorporates modules designed to host marsh plants, creating breeding grounds for the Nile Perch, to provide not an extractive intervention but one that integrates with its environment.
