“Nowhereisland has become a crucible for fresh thinking about the way we live now, and in the future. I relish that challenge, in all its myriad contexts.” — Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Nowhereisland was an island which journeyed from the High Arctic region of Svalbard to the south west coast of England in summer 2012. As it made this epic journey, it travelled through international waters, whereupon it became the world’s newest nation with citizenship open to all. Over one year, 23,003 people from over 135 countries across the world signed up to be its citizens. Together, they helped to write the island’s ‘constitution‘.
And now…. the Now Here Is Land book has safely arrived! Beautifully designed, visually rich, and featuring a plethora of fascinating texts. Published by Victoria Miro gallery in London, this unique book celebrates and documents the iconic project created by award-winning British artist, Alex Hartley in collaboration with Situations, Bristol. Believe it or not, the opening page of each copy of the book is made with hand-ground dust and particles of Arctic rock from the ‘island’ itself!
Nowhereisland was one of 12 Artist Taking the Lead projects for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad funded by Arts Council England.