Line that moves us
Abstract
This project explores the complex and often contradictory nature of borders—both visible and invisible—by focusing on the tri-border point in Vaals, where Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands meet. Historically a site of political and territorial tension, this location has transformed into a place of leisure, where tourists casually step between nations for entertainment. This striking contrast between the past and present served as the conceptual starting point for our project. We were intrigued by how easily people now move across this space, and what that reveals about the changing meanings of borders in different contexts.
We began by asking: what does it mean to move? Who has the right or ability to cross a border without consequence? What systems are in place that allow some to move freely while others face restriction, detention, or violence? These questions guided our research, which drew upon academic literature on migration and mobility, field observations, and conversations with people at the site. Rather than interpreting borders as fixed geographic lines, we examined them as socially and politically constructed thresholds—lines that exist differently for different people.
The final installation features three vertical video screens surrounding a circular table. Each screen presents footage filmed at Vaals, capturing moments of cross-border movement: tourists playing, infrastructure supporting flow, and subtle cues of surveillance. The goal was not just to document, but to reflect on how borders operate as lived environments.
On the table is a ring of red 3D-printed miniature objects arranged around a central opening. These forms abstract elements we observed at the site—photo props, playground features, signage—objects that convey playfulness and tourist appeal. However, by isolating and reconstructing them, we wanted to reveal how even light, decorative elements participate in the scripting of controlled space. The table, with its cheerful objects, becomes both playful and unsettling.
Audio plays throughout the installation, layering poetic narration with recorded interviews. We asked visitors at the site to share their impressions of borders—how they understand them, how they experience them. These voices bring multiple perspectives and emotional tones, from humor to reflection to unease. They remind us that the border is not just a place but a condition—lived, remembered, and negotiated.
Through the contrast between what is seen and what is heard, between form and voice, we aimed to expose the contradictions within so-called “free-border” spaces. For some, the border is fluid and fun. For others, it is an inaccessible and even dangerous boundary. We hope this work invites viewers to reflect on how they relate to movement, and to borders they may not always recognize.
